West Indies announce squad for 1st Test against England

After an exciting five-match T20I series, England and the West Indies will be locking horns in a three-match Test series starting March eight. While the hosts would be looking to win the Tests, the English team would be eager to make amends in the traditional format after conceding the T20Is 2-3. Days ahead of the series-opener at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Windies have announced their squad with a pacer making his debut and a batter being recalled in the red-ball set up.

In a press release issued by the West Indies Cricket on February 22,  the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel have named the Caribbean squad for the first Test against England along with the CWI President’s XI squad for the four-day warm-up match which would be held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) from March one to four.

Opener John Campbell recalled for the first Test against England

Emerging fast bowler Anderson Phillip has received a maiden West Indies call up for the opening Test against England whereas opener John Campbell has been recalled to the hosts’ squad. The Windies will be led by the elegant batter Kraigg Brathwaite with Jermaine Blackwood as his deputy. Other prominent names include the likes of Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kemar Roach, etc.

The CWI statement further adds that the Caribbean squad would be assembling in Antigua from February 25 for a training camp ahead of the three-match Test series. The second Test will take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados on March 16 while the final match will be contested at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium on March 24. The Joe Root-led England side would be hoping for a revival in fortunes as far as their Test cricket is concerned after a humiliating 0-4 Ashes drubbing against arch-rivals Australia down under in December-January.

West Indies squad for the first England Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice-Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales