Blackwood only J'can in Windies Test Squad

Jamaica's Jermaine Blackwood is the only Jamaican named in the West Indies Cricket Board's 13-member squad for the historic 50th test match at Sabina Park against Pakistan on Friday.

Blackwood last played for the West Indies in the third Test against Pakistan in Sharjah in October last year.

In that game, he made 27 runs, 23 in the first innings and four in the second inning in the West Indies five wicket win.

The squad also includes the uncapped Shimron Hetmyer and Vishual Singh and the returning Kieran Powell.

The West Indies selectors said that they included the three for various reasons.

Maturity

"Shimron has shown a lot of maturity during this season of regional games and also within our 'A' team,' they said in a release.

Powell was selected because the panel "felt a need to fast -track him through our 'A' team programme last year."

"We are happy that Kieran is once again available as an option for us to open the batting. West Indies cricket has invested heavily in him over the years .

Singh was noted to be a consistent batsman in the Regional Four-day tournament.

"His hundred over the weekend for the WICB President's XI against the Pakistanis helped to fortify in our minds that he has a place in our squad."

The remaining squad includes Captain Jason Holder, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, and Alzarri Joseph.