Louis replaces Roach in Windies squad for England series

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

CRICKET WEST Indies (CWI) announced yesterday that uncapped Leeward Islands Hurricanes pacer Jeremiah Louis will replace long-standing fellow pacer Kemar Roach in the West Indies Test squad for their three-match series against hosts England next month.

Roach, who celebrates his 36th birthday on Sunday, is currently undergoing rehabilitation from a knee injury that he picked up while representing reigning champions Surrey in the English County Championship, and Louis will join his younger brother, opener Mikyle, on the trip.

“Kemar’s skill and experience in English conditions will be missed,” lead selector, Most Honourable Desmond Haynes, said.

“This opportunity has been long in the making for Jeremiah Louis, and he certainly has the skill and experience to make an impact in England.”

Louis, who made his senior debut for the Hurricanes against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force close to a decade ago, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler with a similar ability to Roach for swinging the ball.

He has appeared in 57 first-class matches and taken 151 wickets at 25.43 each. He is also a decent lower-order batsman, good enough to score four half-centuries in 1,581 first-class runs at an average of 23.

Louis twice got elevated to the West Indies ‘A’ team, but had no significant impact either against the England Lions six years ago or Bangladesh ‘A’ two years ago. So this will be a major chance to prove himself.

The absence of Roach, whose 270 wickets at 27.74 apiece in 81 Tests puts him at No. 5 on the West Indies all-time list of Test bowlers, will be a big blow to the plans of the Test side, led by obdurate opener Kraigg Brathwaite, against an England side, led by Ben Stokes and whose rapid scoring rates in recent matches have been mind-boggling.

Roach took 18 wickets at 25.77 in six appearances this season for Surrey, and was looking forward to the three Tests after he proved his enduring ability to swing the ball in English conditions in a match-winning spell of six for 46 in his penultimate match against Warwickshire in May at the Oval.

But the pace-bowling prospects of West Indies in the series still appear bright with an attack that comprises world-rated all-rounder Jason Holder, vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, resurgent Jayden Seales, fresh from a successful stint with Sussex in the County Championship, and Shamar Joseph – the hero of their historic Test win against hosts Australia earlier this year in Brisbane.

Roach said last month he had no plans to retire any time soon, and he joked that West Indies were going to try to spoil the farewell of long-standing England pacer James Anderson, who confirmed at the same time that the first Test of the series, starting on July 10, at Lord’s, will be the last in his 21-year career.

CWI also confirmed yesterday that former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 pacer Isai Thorne will join the squad as a development player.

West Indies are set to play a warm-up match against a County Select XI from July 3 to 6 in Beckenham, before the three-Test series for the Viv Richards & Ian Botham Trophy, which they currently hold.

The second Test, from Thursday, July 18, takes place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, and the third Test, from Friday, July 26, will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham.