The West Indies will tour Australia for a two-match Test series for which they have announced a 15-member squad with seven uncapped players. The West Indies team will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph named as the new vice-captain.
Uncapped players included in the team are batsman Zachary McCaskie, wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach; All-rounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge and Kevin Sinclair with fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph. Jayden Seales was unavailable for selection due to a shoulder injury. Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers were unavailable as they wanted to explore T20 league opportunities in January.
“The squad has been affected by the unavailability of some key players. However, we have had a very strong red ball program over the past year. Australia away is always a challenge but we have confidence in our team,” said head coach Desmond Haynes.
The West Indies team will arrive in Australia on December 30 and will hold a preparation camp from January 2 to 9 in Adelaide. They will then play a four-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide from January 10-13.
The two teams will battle for the Frank Worrell Trophy, named after the legendary West Indies captain and all-rounder. The first Test is scheduled in Adelaide from January 17-21 and the second will be a day-night pink-ball encounter at the Gabba in Brisbane from January 25-29.
West Indies will also play three ODIs and T20Is in Australia
After the Test series, Australia and West Indies will play three ODIs and three T20Is, whose squad will be announced later. Australia faces Pakistan in a three-match test series, winning 1-0. The second Test of the series will begin on December 26 in Melbourne and the third Test will be played in Sydney from January 3.
Meanwhile, the West Indies currently face England at home in a five-match T20I series where the series is currently tied 2-2. The West Indies won the first two games, but England hit back in the next two thanks to two consecutive centuries from Phil Salt. The West Indies last played a Test series against India at home, where they were beaten 1-0 by the Men in Blue.
The West Indies have not been the most successful in Test cricket for a long time. They have faced a lot of problems in red ball cricket since the retirement of many experienced players. Facing Australia with seven uncapped players will not be easy for them and they would have to do their best to make it a contest for Australia.
Australia and the West Indies last played a Test series in December 2022, where the former won 2-0 in a one-sided series. They will hope to repeat the same results again this time with an even inexperienced West Indies team.
West Indies squad for Test series in Australia: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua DaSilva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclai, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie.
