CWI unveils test squad for New Zealand 3-match series

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its 15-member squad for the December 1-21 three-test series against New Zealand in Christchurch, Wellington and Mount Maunganui.
With Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph both rehabilitating from injuries sustained earlier this year and therefore forced to miss this series, veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled, bolstering an inexperienced fast-bowling unit featuring maiden call-up Ojay Shields.
Shields and Roach were among several players to have recently completed a rigorous two-week high-performance camp in Antigua in preparation for the highly anticipated series where playing surfaces are expected to be conducive to pace bowling.
Kavem Hodge makes his return to the regional squad on the back of his previous success against pace, while Khary Pierre has been excluded, with spin bowling not expected to have a major impact over the three-match series.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, spoke to focused preparation for the tour and the intentional efforts to ensure that this squad is one of the best-prepared groups for an away tour to New Zealand.

“New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side, which is why strong emphasis has been placed on targeted preparation. The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces.”
“That level of intentional preparation, combined with the advantage of several squad members already in New Zealand for the white-ball portion of the tour gaining valuable time to acclimatise, means this group goes into this series as well-prepared as any West Indies squad to tour there in recent years.”
Those travelling from the Caribbean joined the rest of the squad already in New Zealand on November 20, giving them considerable time to become acclimatised and take part in a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln, Christchurch.
The series forms part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship and will be the West Indies’ final fixture for 2025.
West Indies Test Squad to New Zealand: Captain Roston Chase, Vice-Captain Jomel Warrican,
Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope,
Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Ojay Shields.

Team Management Unit (TMU)
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Manager: Rawl Lewis
Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam
Mental Skills/Performance Coach: Krisnan Hurdle
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne
Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster