West Indies National Cricket Team have announced their 15-man Test squad for the series against South Africa National Cricket Team. Two uncapped players – Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan – have been included in the Test squad for the South Africa tour.
West Indies are set to reach South Africa on Friday. They will play a warm-up game in Benoni from February 21 to 24, before Test matches. The first Test is set to be played in Centurion from February 28 to March 4. While the second Test is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg from March 8 to 12. After the conclusion of the Test matches, the teams will be involved in a 6-match – 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is – white-ball series.
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Meanwhile, Jomel Warrican and Nkrumah Bonner have been dropped from the Test squad for the South Africa tour. Notably, the aforementioned players were part of the Test squad for the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe. Also, Jayden Seales was unavailable for selection following a knee injury and Anderson Phillip is not yet match-fit.
The uncapped players Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan have performed well in the first two rounds of the ongoing four-day West Indies Championship.
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The left-handed batter Alick Athanaze registered scores of 41 and 51 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force. Then, he scored a career-best 141 against Guyana Harpy Eagles.
Meanwhile, the right-arm pacer Akeem Jordan had figures of 5-86 against Guyana. Then, he had figures of 7-113 against Jamaica Scorpions. Currently, he is the highest wicket-taker in the West Indies Championship.
Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in – Desmond Haynes
The chief selector of Cricket West Indies Desmond Haynes showered high praise on Alick Athanaze. He said that Athanaze has performed consistently with the bat and has shown good leadership qualities.
“Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in, and he played well in the ‘A Team’ and CWI President’s XI,” Haynes said on Athanaze.
“He showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership, as captain of the Windwards at the start of this season.”
Desmond Haynes further lauded Akeem Jordan. He said that Jordan is a skilful bowler and a sharp fielder.
“Jordan has been very impressive from last year, he has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year,” Haynes added while discussing Jordan.
“He is very skilful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket. This will be a challenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches.”
West Indies Test Squad For South Africa Series:
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas
South Africa vs West Indies Fixtures:
28 February to 4 March: 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion
8-12 March: 2nd Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
16 March: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
18 March: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
21 March: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
25 March: 1st T20Is at SuperSport Park, Centurion
26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion
28 March: 3rd T20I at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
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