Vaibhav Tripathi
Uncapped left-hand batter Kirk McKenzie has been picked in West Indies’ 13-member squad for the first Test against India, starting on July 12 at Windsor Park in Dominica. Additionally, left-hand batter Alick Athanaze is also in contention for his Test debut. Athanaze also was a part of the West Indies set-up that toured South Africa this year, but didn’t feature in any of the Tests.
McKenzie, the Jamaica cricketer, scored a couple of fifties in the recently-concluded ‘A’ series against Bangladesh A. He averages a shade under 40 and has amassed 591 runs in first-class cricket. “We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh,” CWI lead selector, Desmond Haynes, said. “These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity.”
Spin-bowling all-rounder, Rahkeem Cornwall, who last played a Test match in November 2021, has also been selected, alongside left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. This decision was made as Gudakesh Motie, the first-choice spinner, is currently sidelined due to a back injury. Kyle Mayers, left-hand opener, and Jayden Seales, pace bowler, haven’t been included as they are laid low by niggles. Meanwhile, Tevin Imlach and Akeem Jordan have been picked as the traveling reserves.
West Indies Squad for first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.
Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan.