West Indies face South Africa in a two-match Test series after being swept aside by England in the previous Test series last month. They sit bottom of the points table with just one win in the previous seven Test matches.
West Indies are under Kraigg Brathwaite, who failed to inspire the team to beat England in an away match. This time they will play at home against South Africa. However, their record against West Indies is not that good as they have won only three of the previous 32 Test matches.
Kemar Roach has returned to the Test squad after missing the series against England with a knee injury. Alzarri Joseph has been rested while Shamar Joseph remains part of the squad.
If West Indies lose this Test series at home, they will fall far behind in the table and their chances of reaching the WTC final will all but be over.
The condition of Test cricket in the West Indies is not so good and the team does not get enough support from the board.
Recently, Clive Lloyd, the former World Cup-winning captain, urged the richest board to help West Indies Cricket revive Test cricket by providing it with enough revenue.
Read also: Ryan Harris returns to South Australia as head coach after Jason Gillespie’s departure
West Indies to play South Africa in 11th Test match, South Africa tour of West Indies, 2024
Kraigg Brathwaite (center)
Brathwaite will open the batting for his team. The captain is the most capped Test player in the current team. He scored 166 runs in the previous series against England.
mikyle luis
He will open the batting with his captain. The youngster made his debut in the series against England and scored 162 runs in his debut series with a best score of 57.
Alick Athanaze
The left-hander can bat at the number three position. He has played seven Test matches and has a best score of 82 in the format. He played in the final Test against England.
Kavem Hodge
Hodge will take the fourth spot. He is one of the batsmen in the best form at the moment, having scored 216 runs in the series against England. In fact, he was the third-highest run-getter in the series.
Jason Holder
This all-rounder is a decent batsman at number five position. He is the second most experienced player in the team after his captain. He scored 155 runs in the series against England and took three wickets.
Keacy Carty
Carty has played 22 ODI matches for the West Indies. He is part of the West Indies Test squad and can make his debut as an all-round batsman at number six.
Joshua Da Silva (WK)
Da Silva is the wicketkeeper-batsman batting at number seven. He scored 159 runs in the Test series against England at an average of 31.80.
Kemar’s cockroach
Roach can bat at number eight. He is returning to action after missing the previous series with a knee injury. He has a best score of 41 in the format and 270 wickets in 81 Test matches.
Shamar Jose
Joseph can be the second pacer in the starting XI. He can bring the element of pace to a mostly flat track in Trinidad. In his first five Test matches, he has taken 17 wickets.
Jayden Seals / Jomel Warrican
Seals will be the third seamer in the starting XI. He plays Test cricket regularly and has played 13 Test matches. Incidentally, he made his Test debut against South Africa in 2021.
In case the Windies want a second option, they can add Warrican in place of Seals. He is four wickets shy of 50 in Tests.
Gudakesh Movement
The left-handed bowler will be West Indies’ specialist off-spinner. He picked up just three wickets in the series against England but will have to be much better with the ball against South Africa.
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