Cricket West Indies (CWI) has revealed a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-Test series against England, beginning on July 10. Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead the side, with pacer Alzarri Joseph serving as his deputy.
In a significant development, former captain and veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been recalled to the squad. Holder had previously made himself unavailable for the series in Australia. The West Indies created history by securing a Test victory in Brisbane during that series, marking their first Test win in Australia in 27 years and concluding the series with a 1-1 draw.
Lead selector Desmond Haynes expressed confidence in the squad’s balance of experience and emerging talent, stating:
“The squad has been shaped with both experience and emerging talent, ensuring a strong balance as we face the challenge of playing in English conditions. Over the past year, our red-ball program has continued to develop.”
He further added:
“Following our victory in the last Test in Australia in January, it is evident that we are seeing the fruits of that investment. Each player selected has earned their place through consistent performances and hard work. We are confident that this blend of seasoned players and emerging faces will perform admirably against England.”
In addition to Holder, the West Indies will also benefit from the return of talented pacer Jayden Seales, who missed the Australian series due to injury.
The West Indies are currently sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) table for 2023-25. Notably, they won their last home Test series against England with a 1-0 margin in 2022. However, in their most recent encounter in England, the hosts emerged victorious with a 2-1 series win in 2020.
Adding to the excitement, the first Test at Lord’s will be legendary pacer James Anderson’s final international game, following his retirement announcement last month. The series will then move to Nottingham and Birmingham for the final two Tests.
England recently faced a challenging series in India, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat. They are currently at the bottom of the nine-team WTC table with only three wins in ten matches.
Both teams are also part of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, hosted by the West Indies and USA.
West Indies Squad for Three-Test Series in England
- Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
- Alick Athanaze
- Joshua Da Silva
- Jason Holder
- Kavem Hodge
- Tevin Imlach
- Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain)
- Shamar Joseph
- Mikyle Louis
- Zachary McCaskie
- Kirk McKenzie
- Gudakesh Motie
- Kemar Roach
- Jayden Seales
- Kevin Sinclair
This series promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams look to make a mark in the WTC standings and bid farewell to a cricketing legend.
