AUS vs WI: West Indies Test Squad Announced, Seven Uncapped Players Included

West Indies will tour Australia for a two-match test series for which they have announced a 15-member squad with seven uncapped players. The West Indies squad will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph named as the new vice-captain.

The uncapped players included in the squad are batter Zachary McCaskie, wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach; allrounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, and Kevin Sinclair with fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph. Jayden Seales was unavailable for selection as he is nursing a shoulder injury. Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers were unavailable because they wanted to explore T20 league opportunities in January.

“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. Australia away is always a challenge, but we are confident in our team,” said lead selector Desmond Haynes.

The West Indies squad will arrive in Australia on December 30 and hold a preparation camp from January 2-9 in Adelaide. They will then play a four-day warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide from January 10-13.

The two teams will battle for the Frank Worrell Trophy which is named in honour of the legendary West Indies all-rounder and captain. The first Test is scheduled in Adelaide from Jan 17 to Jan 21 and the second one will be a day-night, pink-ball encounter at the Gabba in Brisbane from Jan 25 to Jan 29.

West Indies Will Also Play Three ODIs And T20Is In Australia

Following the test series, Australia and West Indies will play three ODIs and three T20Is, the squad for which will be announced later. Australia is facing Pakistan in a three-match test series, leading 1-0. The second test of the series will commence on December 26 in Melbourne and the third test will be played in Sydney starting from January 3.

Meanwhile, West Indies is currently facing England at home for a five-match T20I series where the series is currently leveled 2-2. West Indies won the first two games but England countered in the next two laying back on two consecutive centuries from Phil Salt. West Indies last played a test series against India at home where they were defeated 1-0 by the Men In Blue.

West Indies have not been the most successful in Test cricket for a very long time. They have faced a lot of issues in red-ball cricket since the retirement of a lot of experienced players. Facing Australia with seven uncapped players is not going to be easy for them and they would have to do their best to make it a competition for Australia.

Australia and West Indies last played a test series in December 2022 where the former won by 2-0 in a one-sided series. They will be hoping to replicate the same results again this time with an even inexperienced West Indies squad.