5 Guyanese headline West Indies Test Squad for Australia tour

…Holder, Mayers opt for T20 franchise opportunities

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel on Wednesday announced the 15-member squad to travel to Australia to play a two-Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) from January 17th to 29th, 2024.
The squad boasts five Guyanese players, namely Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph.
The West Indies will again be led by Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph named as the new Vice Captain. The squad will arrive in Australia on December 30th, and will hold a preparation camp from January 2-9 in Adelaide, followed by a four-day First Class warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI at the Karen Rolton Oval (KRO) in Adelaide from January 10-13.

The selectors have named several uncapped players in the squad. These are: batter Zachary McCaskie, wicket-keeper Tevin Imlach; allrounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge and Kevin Sinclair; as well as fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph.
Speaking about the make-up of the squad, CWI Lead Selector, The Most Honourable Dr. Desmond Haynes, said: “The squad has been affected by the unavailability of some key players. However, we have had a very strong red-ball program being run over the past year, which has unearthed significant talent throughout the region. The selected players have passed each test given to them, and must now be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the Test arena.

Australia away is always a challenge, but we are confident in our team.”
The two teams will again compete for the Frank Worrell Trophy – named in honour of the legendary West Indies allrounder and captain. The first Test will be a red ball fixture at the Adelaide Oval from 17 to 21 January, and the second would be a pink ball day/night contest at the Gabba in Brisbane from 25 to 29 January.

This is West Indies second Test Series out of a total of six to play in the new 2023-2025 ICC WTC cycle. The Test Series against Australia will be the first of three away series that West Indies will play in the WTC. West Indies drew one Test match and lost one against India in August.
Following the Test Series, West Indies will face Australia in three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, and these squads will be announced at a later date.

FULL SQUAD
1. Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
2. Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain)
3. Tagenarine Chanderpaul
4. Kirk McKenzie
5. Alick Athanaze
6. Kavem Hodge
7. Justin Greaves
8. Joshua DaSilva
9. Akeem Jordan
10. Gudakesh Motie
11. Kemar Roach
12. Kevin Sinclair
13. Tevin Imlach
14. Shamar Joseph
15. Zachary McCaskie

NOTES: Jayden Seales is unavailable for selection due to a shoulder injury. Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers are unavailable, as they have expressed a preference to explore T20 franchise opportunities in January.

Match Schedule (start times in brackets)
January 17-21: 1st Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
(Start time: January 15-20 7:30pm Eastern Caribbean/ 6:30pm Jamaica)

January 25-29: 2nd Test at the Gabba, Brisbane
(Start Time: 12 midnight Eastern Caribbean (January 24-28 11pm Jamaica)