Cricket West Indies has announced the updated squad for the upcoming Test series against the England national cricket team. The touring party has suffered a major blow ahead of the series as star pacer Kemar Roach has been ruled out of the series.
The West Indies will travel to England for the three-match Test series in July this year. The first match of the series will be played from July 10 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, followed by the second match at Trent Bridge from July 18. The last match will be played from July 26 at Edgbaston.
The West Indies team will be captained by Kraigg Brathwaite and fast bowler Alzarri Joesph has been named the team’s vice-captain for the tour. In place of the injured Kemar Roach, the team has added St. Kitts and Nevis fast bowler Jeremiah Louis to the team.
The veteran pacer is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury he suffered during the county championship in England. Kemar Roach’s absence from the team for the Test series against England will be a blow as he has been the team’s leader in the longest format of the game for quite a few years.
Cricket West Indies chief selector Dr Desmond Haynes spoke about the absence of Kemar Roach and said the pacer will be a big loss for the team but also stated that it will be an opportunity for young Jeremiah Louis to make an impact on his team. . He stated:
“Kemar’s skill and experience in English conditions will be lost, however this opportunity has been a long time coming for Jeremiah Louis – he certainly has the skill and experience to make an impact in England.”
Apart from this, Cricket West Indies has also brought in 19-year-old fast bowler Isai Thorne. He will join the team as a development player. The rest of the team are quite familiar names and would be keen to win another Test series in England.
Ahead of their tour of the West Indies, they have been training at Tonbridge School to catch up on the series. They will also play a three-day warm-up match against the England Lions in Beckenham from July 4, which would be vital for them to get used to the conditions.
West Indies squad for Test series against England
Here is the West Indies Test squad for the series against England.
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair.
Here is the schedule for the West Indies tour to England
Wednesday 3 July 2024: 3-day warm-up match, Beckenham
Wednesday 10 July 2024 – 1st Test Match, Lord’s
Thursday 18 July 2024: Second Test match, Trent Bridge
Friday 26 July 2024: Third Test Match, Edgbaston
