The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel today announced the 15-member squad to travel to Australia to play a two-Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) from 17 to 29 January 2024.
The West Indies will again be led by Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph named as the new Vice Captain. The squad will arrive in Australia on 30 December and will hold a preparation camp from 2 – 9 January in Adelaide, followed by a Four (4) Day First Class warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI at the Karen Rolton Oval (KRO) in Adelaide from 10 – 13 January.
The selectors have named several uncapped players in the squad. These are: batter Zachary McCaskie, wicket-keeper Tevin Imlach; allrounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge and Kevin Sinclair, as well as fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph.
Speaking about the make-up of the squad, CWI Lead Selector, The Most Honourable Dr. Desmond Haynes said: “The squad has been 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. 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.”
The two teams will again compete for the Frank Worrell Trophy – named in honor of the legendary West Indies allrounder 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.
This is West Indies second Test Series out of a total of six to play in the new 2023-2025 ICC WTC cycle. The Test Series against Australia will be the first of three away series that West Indies will play in the WTC. West Indies drew one Test match and lost one against India in August. The current ICC WTC standings can be found here: https://www.worldtestchampionship.com/standings
Following the Test Series, West Indies will face Australia in three One-Day International and three T20 Internationals, and these squads will be announced at a later date.
FULL SQUAD
1. Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
2. Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain)
3. Tagenarine Chanderpaul
4. Kirk McKenzie
5. Alick Athanaze
6. Kavem Hodge
7. Justin Greaves
8. Joshua DaSilva
9. Akeem Jordan
10. Gudakesh Motie
11. Kemar Roach
12. Kevin Sinclair
13. Tevin Imlach
14. Shamar Joseph
15. Zachary McCaskie
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)
Two Dominicans,during the reign of the world BOSS,the Rt Hon.Prime Minister of Dominica and Chairman of Caricom Dr.Roosevelt Skerrit.Congratulations to both of you.Sebo must have burst a blood vessel.
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.
Let’s hope Kavem gets a game to showcase his skills. If he plays in the warm up match he needs to impress. It’s automatic that Alick will play in both of the test matches once he is not injured.
No Seales
Blackwood
Gabriel
Bonner, etc…