The Sunday Mail
WEST INDIES have named their 15-men squad for next month’s two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
West Indies are expected in the country at the end of the month where they will play a warm-up match before taking on the Chevrons in two Tests slated for February 4 to 8, and February 12 to 16 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
According to information coming out of the Caribbean nation, the 15-men squad is set to feature three returnees that will be headlined by seam bowler, Shannon Gabriel, who is in line to possibly play his first Test in over a year, after being recalled the team.
Spinners Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie have also been recalled.
Gabriel last featured in the Test side in Sri Lanka in November 2021, but had been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
However, with Jayden Seales rehabilitating after knee surgery, Gabriel could be reunited with Kemar Roach and Jason Holder in the West Indies seam attack.
Warrican also played the last of his 13 Tests in Sri Lanka in 2021, while Motie could add to the sole cap he won against Bangladesh in June last year.
West Indies were hit by numerous injuries during their 2-0 defeat in Australia, and have omitted Shamarh Brooks, Anderson Phillip and Marquino Mindley, all of whom played in the second Test in Adelaide.
“This is the start of the international calendar for 2023, and we will hope to start with a win,” Desmond Haynes, West Indies’ lead selector, said.
“We appreciate it won’t be an easy assignment as Zimbabwe, like most other teams in world cricket, play very well on their home soil on pitches that will support their style of play.
“We looked at the conditions we anticipate playing in, and have included two left-arm spinners who didn’t go to Australia in Motie and Warrican.
West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas, Jomel Warrican. – Cricinfo/Online Reporter
