The West Indies have named few surprise picks in their 13-member squad to face India in the inaugural Test of the series on July 12. Southpaw batters Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze have received their maiden call-ups on the back of their strong show for West Indies A against Bangladesh A in a recently concluded series.
Both McKenzie and Athanaze struck two fifties each donning the A team colours in Bangladesh in May. The former scored 91 and 86 in Sylhet. Prior to these twin knocks he impressed the selectors with his strokeful 221 in the Headley Weekes Tri-Series in April. Athanaze on the other hand notched the joint-fastest half-century on ODI debut, against UAE in Sharjah.
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The selectors’ panel led by Desmond Haynes has the confidence in the two talented youngsters and he is in awe of their playing style especially the way they performed with the ‘A’ Team against Bangladesh. “We were very impressed with the approach of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh. These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity,” Haynes said.
Left-arm tweaker Gudakesh Motie’s unavailability due to injury has opened doors for spinners Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican.
Stocky all-rounder Cornwall is rewarded with a spot for his excellent form in the first-class circuit. He had 35 wickets from five first-class games, and has been the highest wicket-taker in the last season, with four five-fers. He’s no mug with the bat as well as he struck twin fifties in the same period. Having made his debut against India in 2019, the 30-year-old is set to play his 10th Test, his first since November 2021.
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Meanwhile, recalled left-arm-spinner Warrican who travelled to Zimbabwe but missed the last Proteas tour would want to make his mark. The cricketer hailing from Barbados has 41 scalps from 13 Tests at an average of 35.2.
"We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job," said an optimistic Haynes.
The first Test will be played from July 12-16 in Dominica, followed by the second Test from July 20. Also, India’s tour of West Indies is going to kick-start the 2023-25 World Test Championship Cycle for both the teams. The tour also consists of three ODIs and five T20Is.
13-member West Indies Squad for first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood (VC), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.
Traveling reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan
