The West Indies selection panel named a 13-man squad for the first Betway Test against South Africa starting on June 10 at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia.
That squad features newbie Jayden Seales, while Test recalls were awarded to Kieran Powell, Shai Hope and Roston Chase, who missed the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh series in 2021. Darren Bravo and Shannon Gabriel missed out on selection.
Harper on Seales, Hope
Speaking to the media in a virtual press conference following the squad’s announcement, Lead Selector Roger Harper said, based on solid performances in the Best v Best matches, 19-year old Trinidadian Seales was selected.
Seales, who played one first-class match, has been selected ahead of other promising fast bowlers with good first-class performances.
Harper also said current form is important for selection, hence the inclusion of Seales. “I saw a young bowler perform in games where Test players and the best of our first-class players were playing. He performed well, better than a number of first-class players who have been playing for over a number of years. If he can perform well in those games, he has the potential to transfer that in the Test series,” Harper explained.
Jayden Seales and Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick
“At this point, we think that Seales is best placed among the fast bowlers to serve the purpose we are looking for at this moment,” Harper noted.
Meanwhile, Harper said the consistent Hope broke his way into the Test team based on strong performances and current form. “Shai was selected because of the form in the red-ball matches he played leading up to this point. That indicated he is producing in red-ball cricket,” Harper said.
Harper on Bramble, Hamilton
A lot of questions have been raised in relation to Jahmar Hamilton’s involvement in the West Indies teams, since his performances in first-class cricket is not superior to many. However, Hamilton, according to CWI, has met the fitness standards.
Responding to a question posted by this daily publication, Harper said: “We have considered guys who met the minimum standard of 40 in the fitness test, so a number of guys excluded themselves by not making that mark,” Harper posited.
In first-class cricket, the 30-year-old Hamilton played 89 matches and scored 4117 runs at an average of 26.56 with six centuries and 24 fifties. The gloves-man has 186 catches and 12 stumping.
Anthony Bramble, in contrast, played 66 first-class matches and scored 2742 runs.
The 30-year-old Guyanese played 23 matches less than Hamilton, and has three centuries and 12 fifties, averaging at 30.46. Bramble has 224 catches and 23 stumpings.
The Lead Selector also said that the axed Darren Bravo is a quality player, and he missed out on the squad because other players performed better. Harper said he will always remain in contention once he performs.
Shai Hope
Harper on Nial Smith
Speaking on the promise and skill of his fellow Guyanese Nial Smith, Harper said he is one for the future and has a lot of potential. Harper indicated that Head Coach Phil Simmons spoke highly of the seamer.
When asked by this publication if there was a toss-up between Smith and Seales, Harper said: “With what we have seen in the Best v Best games prior to the Sri Lankan series and here, we think that Seales have an edge over the (fast) bowlers”.
Smith, who impressed in the Best v Best matches, has played seven first-class matches and has 20 wickets, including 6-55 on debut. The 25-year-old Smith has also impressed in List A cricket, finishing the last Regional Super50 with eight wickets.
During that tournament, Smith captured the attention of West Indies greats, including Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Clive Lloyd. Smith has also gained selection in the Hero Caribbean Premier League for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
West Indies squad for first Test reads: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
