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West Indies One-Day International (ODI) vice-captain Brandon King is in line for his Test debut against Australia, after the 30-year-old Jamaican batsman was named in a 16-man squad to face Australia in a three match Test series in the Caribbean.
King is one of eight changes to the West Indies Test team that drew 1-1 with Pakistan in January. The others are newly appointed captain Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Kevlon Anderson, John Campbell, Johan Layne, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph.
Photo: CWI Media.
The players who made way are: Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, and Kevin Sinclar.
The idea, according to coach Daren Sammy, is “to fortify a batting line-up that is expected to sustain pressure on the opposing attack”.
“We analysed what the top teams in the world are doing and what is needed for us to bridge the gap,” Sammy told the CWI Media. “We have identified a direction, along with the group of players and resources to give us the best advantage as we seek to take the team up [the] ladder and challenge the best in the world.”
Photo: Getty Images.
Up until now, King has been considered a white-ball specialist. He has 52 ODI appearances for the West Indies and averages 29.16 in that format, with three centuries and eight half centuries and a strike rate of 83.60.
In the T20I arena, King’s 63 T20I caps come with no centuries, 11 half centuries, an average of 26.76 and a strike rate of 134.07.
Hope, the West Indies’ limited-overs captain, played the last of his 38 Tests on 3 December 2021 in Galle, Sri Lanka. He averaged 25.01 in red ball cricket with two centuries and five half centuries.
The 31-year-old John Campbell, who played the last of his 20 Tests three years ago, owes his recall, according to the CWI Media, to “a prolific domestic season inclusive of three centuries, backing up a strong showing in the 2023-2024 season”.
It’s a maiden call-up for 24-year-old Kevlon Anderson while the 28-year-old Keacy Carty, whose five Tests so far yielded a high score of 42 and an average of 17.90, returns to the red ball team “on the back of his recent ODI form”.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Sammy told supporters that it’s all part of a new plan for the Test team.
“I’m excited about the inclusion of young prospect Kevlon Anderson, who comes in after solid seasons in our domestic competitions to help provide stability in the top order,” said Sammy, “while the return of Shai Hope is welcomed given his consistency in white ball cricket.
“Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings.”
Copyright: AP Photo/ Ricardo Mazalan.
CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said the Test selections underlined their “commitment to building a bold, execution-driven identity in Test cricket, with consistency in batting output and a dynamic bowling attack being key in the overall assessment”.
“The start of the Test Championship Cycle is critical to building positive momentum as we strive to work our way up the rankings,” said Bascombe. “Beginning with a strong showing against a team like Australia would be ideal in our quest to bring West Indies back to the helm of Test Cricket.
“It was imperative that we sought to put a squad together that was well equipped, in both the batting and bowling departments, to manage the ebbs and flows of this format of the game—while possessing the ability to apply pressure in key phases, through disciplined, purposeful play.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Gallo Images/ Wired868.
Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph lead the West Indies fast bowling department for the upcoming series, according to the CWI Media, with Chase and vice-captain Jomel Warrican managing spin responsibilities.
Anderson Phillip and 21-year-old allrounder Johann Layne serve as reinforcements.
Veteran pacer Kemar Roach, 36, was “duly informed” by the selectors that his services are not required.
Rudder’s timeless hit Rally Around The West Indies is the official West Indies cricket anthem.
Photo CWI Media.
Sammy promised supporters “an exciting style over the series”.
“I am truly looking forward to this series,” said Sammy, “because we want to start off strongly and make our home turf a fortress during this cycle, while having our passionate and proud fans behind us.
“The matches will be challenging but I believe in this core of players, and they are eager to wear the maroon and make our fans happy.”
(via Skysports.)
West Indies Test squad to face Australia:
Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, and Jayden Seales.
Management unit:
Daren Sammy (head coach), Floyd Reifer (assistant coach, batting), Ravi Rampaul (assistant coach, bowling), Rayon Griffith (assistant coach, fielding), Rawl Lewis (team manager), Dr Denis Byam (physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (strength and conditioning coach), Darc Browne (massage therapist), Avenesh Seetaram (team analyst), and Jerome Foster (content and media officer).
Match schedule:
1st Test: 25-29 June 2025 at Kensington Oval, Barbados
2nd Test: 3-7 July 2025 at National Stadium, Grenada
3rd Test: 12-16 July 2025 at Sabina Park, Jamaica (day/ night).
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