Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday (February 22) named a 13-member squad for the opening Test of the upcoming three-match Test series against England, starting on March 8 in Antigua.
The West Indies gave a maiden call-up to the uncapped Trinidad and Tobago fast bowler Anderson Phillip, while John Campbell and Shamarh Brooks were recalled to the side for the first Test following their impressive performance in the domestic first-class competition.
However, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shai Hope, Jeremy Solozano, and Jomel Warrican – who were part of the West Indies’ whitewash in a two-match Test in Sri Lanka in November and December – were not named in the 13-member squad for the first Test against England.
On the other hand, Shannon Gabriel is ruled out of the opening Test because of a hamstring injury. However, if he attains full fitness, he could be recalled later in the home series.
Meanwhile, the first Test will be followed by the second Test in Barbados from March 16–20 and the final Test in Grenada from March 24-28. The Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship.
West Indies chief selector Desmond Haynes said: “Anderson Phillip bowled extremely well and was very impressive in the first two rounds of the West Indies Championship and we decided to give him an opportunity in the Test squad to face England. He has been around the squad before in white-ball cricket, so he has some experience at the international level.”
He added, “I expect us to be very competitive against England. This should be a very exciting series, with a lot of players who are out to make their mark. We have a squad that has some experienced players, as well as some exciting young players and we expect them to equip themselves well and do the job.”
Notably, Phillip, who made his one-day international debut in March 2021, was impressive in the domestic first-class competition, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 14.25 per wicket, earning him his maiden Test call-up for England.
Whereas Campbell, who has so far played 15 Tests, was recalled after he recently scored 213 runs at an average of 53.25 in the current West Indies Championship, including 127 against Barbados Pride.
CWI President's XI and England will play a four-day warm-up at the Coolidge Cricket Ground from March 1-4 before the upcoming three-match Test series.
West Indies squad for 1st Test vs England:
Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
