Dowrich joins Roach in returning home

HAMILTON, New Zealand (CMC):

First-choice wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich will take no further part in the tour of New Zealand, joining veteran seamer Kemar Roach in missing the second Test in Wellington, starting on Friday.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) said that the 29-year-old Dowrich would return home for “personal reasons” and not due to the finger injury he sustained while fielding on day one of the opening Test, which ruled him out of both West Indies innings.

Roach was already expected to return to Barbados following the death of his father in the buildup to the first Test.

The Caribbean side lost the match at Seddon Park by an innings and 134 runs before lunch on Sunday’s fourth day.

UNKNOWN AVAILABILITY

In a further blow to the Windies’ preparation for the all-important contest at the Basin Reserve, both left-hander Shimron Hetmyer and all-rounder Keemo Paul remain under injury watch, with their availability still unknown.

“The Cricket West Indies selection panel has advised that fast bowler Kemar Roach and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich are unavailable for the second and final Test match against New Zealand,” the CWI statement said.

“Both players will return home – Roach due to the death of his father, and Dowrich for personal reasons.

“Additionally, left-hander Shimron Hetmyer is still under concussion protocols following the blow to his head sustained in the second T20 International, while all-rounder Keemo Paul is still being treated for a groin injury.

“They are both being closely monitored by the team’s medical staff and decisions on their availability will be made at a later date.”

Uncapped 22-year-old Trinidadian Joshua Da Silva has been added to the squad and is now poised to make his Test debut.

Da Silva, who toured England last summer as a member of the Test reserves, played in the West Indies ‘A’ four-day ‘Test’ last weekend in Mount Maunganui, scoring two and 15 not out.

CWI said batsman Nkrumah Bonner and left-arm fast bowler Preston McSween will also remain with the squad as cover.