West Indies: Rahkeem Cornwall and Shannon Gabriel are on the list, but Kieran Powell and Alzarri Joseph aren’t. Uncapped opener Jeremy Solozano has been chosen in a 15-man squad for the West Indies Test tour of Sri Lanka later this month.
Allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall was also back in contention, while experienced quick Shannon Gabriel was fit to return after missing the Pakistan series due to a hamstring injury.
Although opener Kieron Powell and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph were left out.
In the second of two intra-squad “Best vs Best” matches in Antigua, Solozano, a left-hander who played in the 2014 U19 World Cup and has represented West Indies A, hit 74 off 216 balls, with lead selector Roger Harper applauding his “application, patience and composure”
In recent years, the position of opener has been a source of contention for the West Indies.
After an extended stint as Kraigg Brathwaite’s partner at the top of the order, John Campbell was dropped, followed by a brief experiment with Shai Hope at the top of the order.
“The Best v Best matches provided the opportunity for the players to spend some time in the middle honing their skills for this tour,” Harper said. “The aim was to simulate as much as possible, the conditions that the team will likely face in Sri Lanka, so it was good to see the batsmen spending time at the crease while putting some scores together and the bowlers looking to build pressure and create wicket-taking opportunities.
Powell’s latest international recall, having originally come in as a concussion replacement for Nkrumah Bonner against South Africa in June.
“Jeremy played for the West Indies A team in 2019 (against India A) with success. And in the Best v Best matches he displayed a sense of application, patience, and composure. While looking very comfortable against both pace and spin which encouraged the panel to invest in him at this point.”The squad is well balanced, with good depth in all departments. The composition is very similar to the squad that brought us success. In our last away tour to Bangladesh, with a few changes in personnel. There are a number of players who are familiar with Sri Lankan conditions. And most of the others have good experience in the Indian sub-continent. So they know what to expect and are gearing themselves for it.”
Veerasammy Permaul, who last played a Test in 2015. Joins Cornwall and Jomel Warrican as the major spin options in the team. As the West Indies try to build on their 2-0 victory over Bangladesh earlier this year.
The tourists will play a four-day warm-up match in Colombo. Before facing Sri Lanka in two World Test Championship matches at Galle.
Click here: Cricket Australia Postpone First-Ever Test Match Against Afghanistan
Read more about: Sanjay Manjrekar says “India clearly has better bowlers than Shami in T20 cricket” in T20 World Cup 2021
Visit also: India Face Scotland, Eye Another Big Win: IND vs SCO Preview
