CWI selects 24 players for Best v Best match-up, ahead of Sri Lanka tour


The West Indies Test team will continue preparations for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka with two three-day fixtures in a ‘Best v Best’ match-up of the top red ball players in the region.

The teams are led by Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood and will do battle at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua from 27-29 October and 1-3 November. The West Indies subsequently depart for Sri Lanka on 6 November.

Photo: Teenaged West Indies pacer Jayden Seales (left) is congratulated by captain Kraigg Brathwaite (centre) and teammate Jermaine Blackwood during Test action against Pakistan.
(via CWI Media)

Cricket West Indies lead selector Roger Harper explained the importance of the upcoming warm-up matches.

“These Best v Best matches are a critical part of the Test team’s preparation for the series in Sri Lanka,” Harper told the CWI Media. “For a number of players, it will be the only serious red ball cricket they will have since the Betway Test series against Pakistan and prior to going on this tour. 

“So, it helps to get them back into the groove of the red ball format and gives the Selection Panel an indication of the players’ readiness for the tour.”

Squad A: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Jayden Seales, Preston McSween, Nial Smith and Jeremy Solozano.

Squad B: Jermaine Blackwood (captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Imran Khan, Shayne Moseley, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican.

Photo: West Indies tail-ender Kemar Roach (left) is congratulated by Jermaine Blackwood after his crucial late knock against Pakistan.
(via CWI Media)

At present, West Indies are seventh in the ICC Test rankings behind New Zealand, India, Australia, England, Pakistan and South Africa respectively but ahead of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

More from Wired868
1975 CWC: When WI ruled the world! Lloyd’s flourish creates history

(Part 51.) Lloyd’s crowning glory. West Indies cricket has enjoyed many moments of celebration, but few match lifting the trophy Read more

1975 CWC: The statistical standouts of the first Men’s tournament

(Part 50.) Judge by numbers. After exactly seven weeks of counting down, here we are: one day to go to Read more

1975 CWC: ‘Kalli’, Julien and Greenidge among standouts, as WI cruise past Kiwis

(Part 48.) West Indies too good. With just three days to go to the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Read more

1975 CWC: CWI finally recognises WI heroes; Guyana did not wait

(Part 47.) When Guyana hailed its conquering hero It has taken the imminent occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Read more

1975 CWC: Genius Kallicharran spanks Lillee to take Windies to semis

(Part 44.) ‘Kalli’ the conqueror. There are just seven days to go to the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Read more

1975 CWC: The day that Windies stopped being ‘Calypso Cricketers’

(Part 42.) “West Indies surely now cannot win!” Television commentator and former Australian captain and leg-spinner Richie Benaud’s crisp, precise Read more

Check Also

1975 CWC: When WI ruled the world! Lloyd’s flourish creates history

(Part 51.) Lloyd’s crowning glory. West Indies cricket has enjoyed many moments of celebration, but …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.