Dominican cricketers, Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge, have been named to the West Indies team for an upcoming tour of Australia.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the 15-member squad on Wednesday, December 20. It will play a two-Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) from January 17 to 29, 2024. The Windies will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph named as the new Vice Captain.
Hodge is among several uncapped players that have been named to the squad. The others are batter Zachary McCaskie, wicket-keeper Tevin Imlach, allrounders Justin Greaves, and Kevin Sinclair, as well as fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph. CWI lead selector, Desmond Haynes, spoke about the make-up of the team, saying that it was affected by the unavailability of some key players.
“However, we have had a very strong red-ball program being run over the past year, which has unearthed significant talent throughout the region,” he stated. “The selected players have passed each test given to them and must now be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the test arena. Australia away is always a challenge, but we are confident in our team.”
According to the CWI, the two teams will again compete for the Frank Worrell Trophy – named in honor of the legendary West Indies all-rounder and captain.
“The first Test will be a red ball fixture at the Adelaide Oval from 17 to 21 January, and the second, a pink ball Day/Night contest at the Gabba in Brisbane from 25 to 29 January,” it said on Wednesday. The Windies squad will arrive in Australia on 30 December and will hold a preparation camp from 2 – 9 January in Adelaide, followed by a Four-Day First Class warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI at the Karen Rolton Oval (KRO) in Adelaide from 10 – 13 January.
The Test series in Australia will be the Windies’ second out of a total of six to play in the new 2023-2025 ICC WTC cycle, according to CWI.
“West Indies drew one Test match and lost one against India in August,” it said. “Following the Test Series, West Indies will face Australia in three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, and these squads will be announced at a later date.”
Match Schedule (start times in brackets)
17-21 January: 1st Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Start Time: 15-20 January 7:30pm Eastern Caribbean/6:30pm Jamaica)
25-29 January: 2nd Test at the Gabba, Brisbane (Start Time: 12 midnight Eastern Caribbean (24-28 January 11pm Jamaica)
. Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge, I salute you and your achievements, but you can no longer think of representing self, think country. We will be supportive of you but represent us and in so doing open doors for other Dominicans.
Your statement is so sad and such disrespect to the two Dominicans. Athanaze has been such a good representation since he was chosen to represent the West Indies. The two are on the team because they have consistently worked hard and consistently performed. That’s why. It’s not because of how low West Indies have sunk. Just wish the young men and the rest of the crew well.
@ The informant
It is however a statement of fact that West Indies has sunk…It’s also time that Athanaze goes on to score after he has settled in…Those mediocre scores need to be improved.
Congrats to my countrymen Athanaze and Hodge!!!
Good goggly though. This relatively inexperienced squad will need unceasing prayers and well wishes as they travel down under to face a veteran laiden and cut-throat Aussie team.
I struggle to see where consistent runs will come from on the Windies side. Alzarri Joseph is the only penetrable bowler in our squad which will encounter the inevitable pace friendly bowling Aussie tracts. Don’t expect the slow bowling specialists to trouble the Australian batsmen.
No disrespect, but veteran / over-the-hill pacer Kemar Roach should be sitting on his couch sipping a tasty Bajan beverage.
You know today when I look around one can tell how low West Indies cricket has fallen. Imagine two Dominicans on the West Indies Cricket side today. Unheard of. That is how low we have fallen. Irvine Shillingford and Kaleb Laurent must be turning in their grave today, if you know where I am getting to. But I guess with all these different formats of cricket today, everybody has a chance now to make it somehow. Even ugly Willy. Congrats to Athanaze and Kavem.
I want to wish the entire WI team much success although they will be taking on the best cricket team, at present, in the world.
I want to wish particularly Athanaze and Hodge an exceptionally brilliant tour. May they perform to the best of their abilities at all times. Wish them also some luck for they will need it. Make Dominica proud.
Congratulations!
Domininicans do’nt love cricket they talk cricket, the opportunity dominica got for that world cup a lot of countrys in the caribbean wish they have gotten it,, the income that would generate it would have been great for the country every mom and pap shop would make money and that fool turn it down ,i would flight to dominica just for that, but i will go to another country and watch the games and spend my hard own cash and have a good time.
Everything skerrit say is gospel to you all ,man its mind boggleing that guy will lie to you all until he gone to his grave, everybody can see right through skerrit except dominicans.
I don’t know how the selectors are thinking, but in my opinion, SHAI HOPE would have added a lot of stability to this side.
His exclusion is baffling to say the least.
I heard skerrit in an interview yesterday talking garbage, he ask cricket west indies if they can play the game in the day in dominica ,that guy really dont have no clue of whats happening in the world of cricket,that guy is just full of what i dont know .
The only prime minister in the caribbean that dont know nothing about sports is that guy ,every stadium in the caribbean have lights except windsor park club, people tell the thing you all have as .rime minister ,in the world today you get more people at cricket at night than in the day,people work in the day and go and watch the game after. According to your fixtures you play day and night games, its better for the country.
I came to dominica for the test match india vs west indies skerrit bought a hole stand and gave people free tickets for the game and they did not come to the game they were outside selling the tickets, what hurt me the most you had a young player from dominica on the west indies team,what a…
Congratulation guys go out there and do you all thing, make feel like a dominican.