ENG v WI 2020: Bowling at full tilt, Gabriel set to join Test squad, says coach Simmons 

Shannon Gabriel was picked as part of 11 reserves for this trip following his ankle injury.

Shannon Gabriel | AFP Having regained full fitness, pacer Shannon Gabriel is all set to join West Indies' main 14-man playing squad for the next month's Test series against England in the UK, said head coach Phil Simmons. 

Gabriel was picked as part of 11 reserves for the trip, with the team management and selectors deciding to keep track of his recovery following an ankle injury. 

Read Also: West Indies to continue with strategy around pace for England batsmen, says Gabriel 

But now that he is looking fit and ready, Simmons told British Media, Gabriel can join the main touring party. 

"The last week he’s (Gabriel) been at full tilt and he looks fit. He’s bowling as fast as I’ve seen him for a while so he’s ready and close enough to the test match," said the former West Indies cricketer. 

A final decision on Gabriel could be taken depending on how he goes during the two warm-up matches that the visitors will play before the first Test in Southampton from July 8.

"When leaving home, 14 were named in the squad," Simmons said. "Because of Shannon coming back from his injury, we had to let him get a little bit further and see how he is and then we’ll decide whether to make it a 15-member squad. After that, injuries might be the cause for (other) changes."

Manchester will host the next two Test matches in a series that will be played behind closed doors and in adherence with the highest safety protocols due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

(Inputs from Reuters)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 23 Jun, 2020

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