Haynes: Tour of Australia is a chance to shine

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Lead West Indies selector Desmond Haynes has admitted the Test squad for the Tour of Australia was short on experience, but he said it was an opportunity for the slew of untried and untested players to make a name for themselves against one of the sport’s toughest opponents.

The selection panel led by Haynes named seven uncapped players in the 15-member squad to be led again by opener Kraigg Brathwaite, with pace spearhead Alzarri Joseph elevated to be his deputy.

The uncapped seven are batsman Zachary McCaskie, wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach, all-rounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, and Kevin Sinclair, as well as fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph.

Of the squad, only Brathwaite (87), Joseph (30), long-serving pacer Kemar Roach (79), and wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva (24) have more than 20 Tests under their belts.

“The selection panel decided that it would give some opportunities to players who we have been looking at for the last couple of years,” Haynes said during a virtual news conference after the announcement of the 15-member squad on Wednesday.

“I know Australia is always a very rough tour, but when you go to places such as Australia and you do well against an opposition like them, it is a good way to start your career, so I am hoping that the young players to whom we have given the opportunity can show us some promise.”

All, except Greaves, of the seven uncapped players were a part of the West Indies ‘A’ Team – under the guidance of senior team head coach and selector Andre Coley – that went on the Tour of South Africa that ended last week.

Haynes said he expected the players to build on the experience they gained playing there.

“I think we could have done better in South Africa, but you must appreciate that these guys have been involved with the red-ball cricket playing against the South Africans on similar kinds of pitches that you will get in Australia,” he said.

Haynes said the selection panel recognised that of the batsmen in the squad, only Brathwaite and Da Silva had played Tests in Australia previously, but the One-day and Twenty20 International series against England prevented them from exposing other players that they may have considered on the ‘A’ Team Tour of South Africa in preparation.

“We did take into consideration that a lot of players selected (for Australia) are young and inexperienced, but we are hoping that they will perform well enough to set their careers on a high.”

Haynes also said Cricket West Indies director of cricket Mile Bascombe contacted Darren Bravo, but the discarded left-handed batsman was sticking to his well-publicised decision to take a break from the game.

Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair.