Young pace sensation Oshane Thomas was awarded another opportunity to make his Test debut at home, as the fast-bowler has been included in the West Indies squad on Tuesday (January 29) for the second Test of three-match series against England starting from 31st January in Antigua.
Earlier, Thomas was included in the Caribbean squad as cover for Alzarri Joseph for the victorious first Test against England, but could not make it to the playing XI, as Joseph managed to return from a back injury, finishing with three scalps in Barbados.
On Tuesday, Courtney Browne, the chairman of the West Indies selectors, has confirmed that the 21-year-old Thomas will remain with the team as an additional fast bowler, as he has been added to the squad as the 14th player for the second Test against England.
Brown told media, “Oshane Thomas was with us in Barbados as cover and he has been added to the squad as the 14th player and will remain with the team as an additional fast bowler. We were all extremely happy with the great result in the first Test. We want to see them put in another solid performance in the second match in Antigua, where we won last year.”
Meanwhile, Thomas has featured in four One-Day Internationals and six T20 Internationals for Windies, while has played only eight first-class matches for 17 wickets.
Despite not featuring in five-day format, the youngster has a reputation of bowling fast and if he gets the nod in Antigua, his presence will certainly add extra pace to the line-up, which already boosted with in-form Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, and Shannon Gabriel in the ranks.
It remains to see whether Thomas would include in the playing XI against England in Antigua, as the hosts would like to go with the winning combination in the second Test following their massive 381 runs win in the first Test last week in Barbados.
West Indies squad v England:
Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (WK), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican
(With AFP Inputs)
