In their 13-man team for the first Test against India in Dominica, the West Indies have selected uncapped Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze. Rahkeem Cornwall, an all-arounder, has played his last Test at Galle in November 2021, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who missed the team’s February tour of South Africa, has returned to the team.
Full squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, and Jomel Warrican
On the most recent “A” Team tour of Bangladesh, senior selector Desmond Haynes observed, “We were quite impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Alick Athanaze. We think these two young athletes deserve a chance because they performed admirably and earned high scores.
Spinner Gudakesh Motie, who has a left arm, was not available for selection. “We don’t have Motie, who is working on his recovery, so Warrican and Cornwall have a chance in the spin bowling division. They are capable of executing the job and have each played at the level required for Test matches, according to Haynes.
Kyle Mayers and Jayden Seales were not yet prepared for their return to red-ball cricket, according to Haynes. “We had Jayden Seales here in the camp, and he’s doing well with his recovery from surgery. But we thought that he wasn’t quite ready to go back yet, and we didn’t want to take a chance on him just yet. Kyle Mayers was also a possibility, but due to some minor discomforts, it is prudent not to subject him to the rigors of a five-day match at this time.
“As we begin the new cycle of the ICC Test Match Championship, looking ahead to the series, we know it will be a difficult one. In an effort to climb the ladder, we want to develop and get better.
After finishing their pre-series camp at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on July 9, the West Indies team will depart for Dominica.
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