Kemar Roach is set to make a triumphant return to the West Indies Test side for their upcoming home series against South Africa. The experienced fast bowler missed the recent tour of England due to a knee injury sustained during the County Championship.
Roach’s return bolsters a West Indies bowling attack that has been depleted by the absence of Alzarri Joseph, who has been rested for this series. Wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva has been appointed as the new vice-captain in Joseph’s stead.
“We have decided to rest our vice-captain Alzarri Joseph for this series,” explained head coach Andre Coley. “Alzarri has had a considerable workload recently, and this break will allow him to recuperate and return to peak performance.”
Coley has emphasized the importance of managing Joseph’s workload, stating that “it always helps to have a period of time away from the game to work on your individual skills.”
Offspin-bowling allrounder Kevin Sinclair remains sidelined due to a fractured left forearm suffered during the England tour. However, uncapped offspinner Bryan Charles, pace-bowling allrounder Justin Greaves, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican have been included in the 15-member squad.
Jeremiah Louis and Akeem Jordan, who were both part of the England tour, have been omitted from the squad. Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, and Akeem Jordan have also been left out.
“The selection process for this squad was led by our Head Coach, Andre Coley,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket. “This is pending the implementation of our new selection process, which will be rolled out in the coming days.”
West Indies will be eager to bounce back from their 3-0 whitewash in England, which has left them languishing at the bottom of the World Test Championship table. The two Tests against South Africa will be played in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, from August 7 to 11 and in Providence, Guyana, from August 15 to 19.
