ST. JOHN’S– The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel has unveiled the 15-member squad set to tour England for the three-Test Richards Botham series, which starts at Lord’s on Wednesday, July, 10, 2024.
Test matches between these two rivals date back to 1928 when the West Indies made their first trip to England. The Teams now compete for the Richards Botham Trophy, named in honour of West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards and England great Lord Ian Botham.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite will continue his leadership role, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph again serving as Vice-Captain. The team is scheduled to arrive in England on June 23 for a training camp at Tonbridge School, ahead of a four-day warm-up match at Beckingham commencing on July 4.
CWI Lead Selector, the Most Honorable Dr Desmond Haynes, expressed confidence in the squad’s composition, “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 programme has continued to develop. 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.”
Young Fast Bowler Jayden Seales returns to the squad having missed the last Test Series against Australia due to injury and experienced all-rounder Jason Holder has earned a recall having made himself unavailable for the last tour. There is also a first international selection for 23-year-old opening batsman Mikyle Louis. Louis, a former West Indies U-19 International, scored 682 runs in his debut First Class season for the Leeward Island Hurricanes at an average of 48.71. Should he debut for the West Indies in England, he will become the first Kittian to wear the famous Maroon test cap.
The West Indies 15-member test squad is as follows: 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 and Kevin Sinclair.
These players will be supported by the following team management unit: Head Coach – Andre Coley , Team Manager – Rawl Lewis, Assistant Coach – Jimmy Adams, Assistant Coach – Rayon Griffith, Assistant Coach – Shaun Tait, Physiotherapist – Dr Denis Byam, Strength & Conditioning Coach – Ronald Rogers, Team Masseuse – Fitzbert Alleyne and Team Analyst – Avenesh Seetram.
West Indies’ last test match was a resounding victory in Australia earlier this year. Since then, all selected players were involved in the West Indies Championship, which concluded in April and was won by the Guyana Harpy Eagles.
Nineteen-year-old fast bowler, Isai Thorne will travel with the squad as a development player, following impressive performances in this debut First Class season taking 31 wickets at average 16.29 in his first eight matches.
The West Indies are the current holders of the Richards Botham Trophy following the 1-0 Home Test Series win in March 2022.
Richard Botham Test Series Match Schedule: Thursday, July 4 – 7, 2024 – Four-Day Warm-Up Match at Beckingham, Wednesday, July 10 – 14, 2024 – First Test Match at Lord’s, Thursday, July 18 – 22, 2024 – Second Test Match at Trent Bridge and Friday, July 26 – 30, 2024 – Third Test Match at Edgbaston. (CWI)
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