West Indies announce team for India Test
West Indies, today, announced their 12-member squad for the first Test against India beginning on July 21 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Senior pacers Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach were left out of the team, and the former has subsequently announced his retirement from Test cricket.
West Indies are preparing to host India after a five-year gap, in the four-Test series beginning in nine days, and the hosts appear ready to risk some to win some. The 12-member squad for the first Test has notable exclusions including senior pacers, Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor, and former captain Denesh Ramdin.
The Board had communicated that Ramdin has been left out for his outburst against the Board earlier. Shane Dorwich will undertake wicket-keeping duties in Ramdin's absence.
32-year old Jerome Taylor has been left out of the squad after poor performances in the Australia tour earlier this year with only two wickets to show for. The pacer subsequently has announced his retirement from Test cricket and has intimated that he will continue to play in the shorter formats of the sport. In his 13-year career, Taylor has picked 130 wickets in 46 Tests.
In their absence, the bowling looks shaky with Shannon Gabriel the only specialist fast bowler in the squad. Devendra Bishoo will be the only specialist slow bowler, while Jomel Warrican, who troubled the Indian side in their warm-up game earlier this week missed out on a spot in the team.
On the batting side, southpaw Leon Johnson has earned a place back in the lineup while Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels will steady up the side.
The side will be captained by Jason Holder, while Kraigg Brathwaite will serve as his deputy.
West Indies team:
Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite (vc), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Shane Dorwich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels.