IND vs WI 1st Test: In a surprise decision, Cricket West Indies selected uncapped cricketers Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze to the team for the coming first Test against India. The test series is set to begin on July 12 in Dominica.
These bright young talents selection was possible by the left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s absence due to ongoing injury recovery. Following the conclusion of their pre-series training session at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, West Indies will leave for Dominica on Sunday.
Rahkeem Cornwall, an all-rounder, has been recalled after last wearing the West Indies Test shirt in November 2021. Jomel Warrican, a left-arm spinner who was a part of the Zimbabwe tour team but didn’t participate in the prior South Africa tour in February, has also been called up.
Since Motie is no longer available, Cornwall is now the go-to spinner. Kyle Mayers and Jayden Seales continue to recover from various problems, thus the CWI selection panel wisely decided to leave them off the roster.
“We were very happy with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A-Team’ trip to Bangladesh. These are two young individuals who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve a chance,” stated selector Desmond Haynes.
Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze Set for Test Debut
Due to their outstanding performances for the ‘A’ squad on their most recent tour to Bangladesh, McKenzie and Athanaze have received their first calls to the national squad.
The upcoming Test series is especially significant because it kicks off the World Test Championship season for both West Indies and India.
Additionally, the second Test, which is scheduled for July 20–24 at Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Oval, will be the 100th Test match for India and the West Indies.
The West Indies team, led by Kraigg Brathwaite, is going to try to get off to a solid start in the Test Championship and leave a mark on the tough Indian team. The addition of newcomers McKenzie and Athanaze gives the team a fresh energy boost and is expected to bring a new element.
West Indies squad for IND vs WI 1st Test:
Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.
Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan
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