West Indies announce squad for England Test series

Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul are absent from the touring party, having opted out of the trip

West Indies have named a 14-man squad for the three-match Test series against England in July, as well as a group of reserves, who will also travel with the group.

Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul are absent from the touring party, having opted out of the trip.

All three Tests will be played behind closed doors and in bio-secure bubbles at both the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford as English cricket seeks to resume following a delayed start to the season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The first Test will be played in Southampton, beginning on July 8, followed by the second and third games, both of which will take place at Lancashire’s home ground.

The West Indian squad will arrive in England on June 9 and then head to Old Trafford for a quarantine and training period, where they will be based for three weeks, before travelling down to Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl ahead of the first Test.

Jason Holder will captain the squad, which features 31-year-old leg-spinning allrounder Nkrumah Bonner, who has played two T20Is but is yet to make his Test debut. Chemar Holder, a 22-year-old fast bowler, is also included and could make his Test debut. Fellow seamers Shannon Gabriel and Oshane Thomas are only named on the 11-strong reserve list.

England captain Joe Root on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to the West Indian side for agreeing to tour.

“It’s been extremely difficult times for everyone around the world,” he said. “On the state of things in the UK, from my knowledge and what I’ve been made aware of, the things that have been put in place have been outstanding. The work that the medical team and the ECB logistically have done to make the bubble and the environment as safe as possible is incredible.

“For the West Indies to still come over here, they are obviously helping the game massively. Of course, safety is everything, and it wouldn’t be possible if that was going to be compromised. Still, it must extremely scary and I think the whole cricketing world will be grateful to see some cricket again.”

Squad: Jason Holder (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich (wk), Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer

Reserve players: Sunil Ambris, Joshua da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shane Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

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