Kemar Roach is heading to New Zealand next month, his first Test tour since January, after West Indies named a 15-man squad that mixes experience with a couple of fresh faces. The recall of all-rounder Kavem Hodge is the other headline, while injuries have ruled out fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph.
Roach’s 85-Test know-how should steady a pace group that includes 29-year-old quick Ojay Shields, who is in line for a debut. Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, however, misses out after a quiet run against Pakistan earlier in the year.
Explaining the selections, Cricket West Indies director of cricket Miles Bascombe said: “New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side… The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces.”
It is the sort of tour Roach tends to enjoy. Although the veteran has not played since that Multan Test in January, his accuracy and ability to nip the ball away remain central to West Indies’ plans. Hodge’s return strengthens the middle order and offers an extra seam-bowling option; West Indies have hinted that balance will matter on green, seaming pitches.
There is disappointment for Khary Pierre, who had been viewed as the leading left-arm spinner on the previous tour, yet selectors felt the conditions would not favour him. The squad’s only specialist spinner is vice-captain Jomel Warrican. If the ball does turn later in the match, Roston Chase’s off-spin provides another avenue.
The squad has just wrapped up a two-week camp in Antigua, described by one coach as “lively enough to keep everybody honest”. Roach and Shields will fly out on 20 November to link up with the main party already involved in the one-day series, before a two-day warm-up against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch.
These three Tests form part of the current World Test Championship cycle. West Indies sit bottom of the standings after five straight defeats; New Zealand are yet to play. A couple of surprise wins would shove the visitors up the table, though most observers see progress in smaller steps—building partnerships, holding catches, bowling dry spells.
West Indies squad: Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields.
Plenty for head coach Andre Coley to juggle, then, but a fit Roach and a hungry Hodge give him useful pieces as West Indies try once more to crack New Zealand’s home fortress.
