West Indies announce squad for Test series tour to England

The West Indies Cricket selectors have picked a 14 man squad for the upcoming tour to England for a 3 Test match series scheduled to start on July 8. There is a list of 11 Cricketers on the reserve list as well, as the West Indies look to defend the Wisden Trophy from their 2-1 Test […]
 
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West Indies announce squad for Test series tour to England

The West Indies Cricket selectors have picked a 14 man squad for the upcoming tour to England for a 3 Test match series scheduled to start on July 8. There is a list of 11 Cricketers on the reserve list as well, as the West Indies look to defend the Wisden Trophy from their 2-1 Test series win against England at home turf from back in early 2019.

The entire West Indies squad, who will all be tested for COVID-19 this week, are scheduled to fly to England on a private chartered flight on the 8th of Jume. Plans for the tour have been and will continue to be developed to ensure they comply with all UK Government rules and guidance.

The West Indies squad will live, train and play in a “bio-secure” environment during the seven weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical and operations plans to ensure player and staff safety. The bio-secure protocols will restrict movement in and out of the venues, so the selection panel has also named a list of reserve players who will travel to train and help prepare the Test squad and ensure replacements are available in case of any injury.

Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour. Cricket West Indies fully respected their decision to choose to do so, they also stated beforehand that they will not hold this decision against these players when considering future selection.

Here’s the 14 man squad for the tour to England:

West Indies announce squad for Test series tour to England

Jason Holder (c)
Jermaine Blackwood
Nkrumah Bonner
Kraigg Brathwaite
Shamarh Brooks
John Campell
Roston Chase
Rahkeem Cornwall
Shane Dowrich (wk)
Chemar Holder
Shai Hope
Alzarri Joseph
Raymon Reifer
Kemar Roach

And here is the list of reserves:

Sunil Ambris
Joshua da Silva (wk)
Shannon Gabriel
Keon Harding
Kyle Mayers
Preston McSween
Marquino Mindley
Shane Moseley
Anderson Phillip
Oshane Thomas
Jomel Warrican

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The two newcomers to the Test squad are middle order batsman Nkrumah Bonner and fast bowler Chemar Holder. 22 year old Chemar Holder, not related to captain Jason, was the leading fast bowler in the West Indies Championship with 36 wickets in eight matches at 18.91 each, and was one of the members of the successful ICC Under-19 World Cup winning campaign at Bangladesh in 2016. Bonner, 31, will be making his Test debut after being one of the leading batsmen in the 2020 West Indies Championship with 523 runs in seven matches at an average of 58.11. He has previously represented the West Indies when he played two T20 Internationals way back in 2011 and 2012.

Roger Harper, former West Indies off spin bowling all rounder and currently the Chief Selector of Cricket West Indies, said, “The new cricketing environment will take some getting used to. However, being in England and working together for four weeks before the first Test will give the squad the opportunity to get acclimatized and hopefully, mentally and technically adjusted to the demands of the new environment. Playing in July could be a blessing as the weather is likely to be warmer which will allow the squad more of an opportunity to play its best cricket.”
“I think we have a squad that will be very competitive. More than half of the squad were involved in the victorious Test series against England in the Caribbean last year so they will bring that experience, that knowledge and belief with them and marry it to the enthusiasm and vitality of the newcomers. The experience of the players who toured England before in 2017 will also benefit the squad greatly. I expect that the bowling unit will once again provide a serious challenge for England and our batting will have to deliver. England is a tough team when playing in home conditions, however, I think the West Indies has a good chance of retaining the Wisden Trophy. We will have to bat consistently well to do so.”

Harper continued, “Chemar Holder is an exciting young fast bowling talent who is coming off an excellent domestic First-Class season. He should enjoy bowling in English conditions. He could prove a real asset to the team in England. Nkrumah Bonner is an unflappable character. His ability to hold the innings together and bat through tight situations could serve the team very well. Jermaine Blackwood returns by sheer weight of performance in the domestic First-Class season. His patience and application were evident and that resulted in much greater consistency which I look forward to him taking back into the Test arena. His experience of playing Test cricket in England should stand him in good stead.”

SOURCE: windiescricket.com