Devendra Bishoo and Shimron Hetmyer were recently named in the 13-man squad ahead of the home three Test series versus the visiting Sri Lankans.
The two Guyanese were among those selected for the upcoming home series. Bishoo, a leg-spinner, has been in good form over the past few months and recently took his Test tally past 100 wickets (102) from just 28 matches. His experience in the Caribbean as one of the leading wicket-takers in domestic cricket would have further helped cement his place in the side.
With just five Tests under his belt and a best of 66; Hetmyer, the pugnacious top-order batsman, has also been in decent form following the World Cup qualifiers. The left-hander scored his maiden One Day International (ODI) ton versus the UAE and like Bishoo, his experience playing in the Caribbean could be a huge asset to the team.
A shocking but warranted selection saw veteran opener batsman, Devon Smith returning to Windies colours after a three-year absence. Smith, 36, last played a Test match during England’s 2015 visit to the Caribbean but a stellar run for the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the 2017-18 Regional Four-Day Tournament, where he scored 1095 runs at an average of 84.23, with six hundreds in ten matches; justified his recall.
Wicket-keeper, Jamar Hamilton has also earned selection in the elite squad for the first time, becoming the second Anguillan, behind Omari Banks to do so. Among those left-out; batsmen Sunil Ambris and Jermaine Blackwood, Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Raymon Reifer and the fast bowler Alzarri Joseph; who is recovering from a stress fracture in his back.
The 13-man squad will start their busy summer schedule against Sri Lanka in the first Test which bowls off on Wednesday, June 6 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.
The complete summer schedule includes 5 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20s, meanwhile the Sri Lanka series will also include the historic day/night Test, scheduled for the Kensington Oval, Barbados from June 23-27. The period will also mark the 90th anniversary since the West Indies became a Test-playing nation.
The 13-man squad – Jason Holder (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jamar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach and Devon Smith (Start time in brackets)
Wed, May 30 – Fri, Jun 1 Tour Match – Brian Lara Cricket Ground, Trinidad (10:00h daily)
Wed, Jun 6 – Sun, Jun 10 1st Test – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (10:00h daily)
Thu, Jun 14 – Mon, Jun 18 2nd Test – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia (10:00h daily)
Sat, Jun 23 – Wed, Jun 27 3rd Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados (15:00h daily)
