Roach returns, Joseph rested for SA series

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach has returned from injury while batsman Keacy Carty and Bryan Charles have received maiden call-ups, in a 15-man West Indies squad named yesterday to face South Africa (SA) in a two-Test series starting next week.

The 36-year-old, who lies fifth on the West Indies all-time list of wicket-takers with 270 wickets, missed the tour of England with a knee injury sustained while playing for Surrey in the English County Championship earlier this year.

His return will strengthen an attack missing vice-captain and fellow fast bowler Alzarri Joseph who Cricket West Indies (CWI) said would be rested for the series in order to manage his workload, the 27-year-old the only player currently featuring in all three formats.

Also missing is off-spinning all-rounder Kevin Sinclair who fractured his forearm in the opening Test against England, while the trio of Jeremiah Louis, Zachary McCaskie and Kirk McKenzie have also missed out.

“The squad we have chosen for this series is a balanced mix of experience and youth, strategically selected to maximise our performance in the conditions of Trinidad and Guyana,” said head coach Andre Coley.

“We have decided to rest our vice-captain Alzarri Joseph for this series. Alzarri has had a considerable workload recently, and this break will allow him to recuperate and return to peak performance. Kevin Sinclair is presently recovering from an injury.”

Carty, a 27-year-old right-hander, has already played 22 One-Day Internationals where he averages 34, and sparkled in the West Indies Championship earlier this year with 496 runs at an average of 41.

Charles, meanwhile, a 29-year-old with 44 first-class matches under his belt, finished with 31 wickets at 17 runs apiece in the championship, and will join a front-line slow bowling attack comprising left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican. The latter of has been recalled after playing the last of his 15 Tests one year ago.

“We are confident about the team selected for this important series against South Africa,” said CWI’s director of cricket, Miles Bascombe.

“The selection process for this squad was led by our head coach, Andre Coley, pending the implementation of our new selection process, which will be rolled out in the coming days and articulated publicly shortly.

“This squad reflects a thorough evaluation of players’ recent performances and suitability for the conditions we anticipate. We are confident that this team is well-balanced and capable of competing at the highest level.”

The opening Test is set for Queen’s Park Oval starting on Wednesday with the second carded to bowl off at the Guyana National Stadium on August 15.

SQUAD – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Bryan Charles, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.