West Indies vs Pakistan
West Indies vs Pakistan. Image Credits: Twitter

Cricket West Indies (CWI), on February 22, 2022, unveiled the national team squad for the first Test of the three-match series against England, which begins in Antigua on March 8-12. The remaining two matches will be played in Barbados (March 16-20) and Grenada (March 24-28) respectively.

John Campbell and Anderson Phillip have been called up to the West Indies squad for the first Test against England in Antigua next month after bright starts to the regional four-day competition. Campbell, the opening batter who averages 23.70 after 15 Test appearances to date, is included after making 127 for Jamaica against Barbados at Kensington Oval last week.

Anderson Phillip. Photo- Twitter
Anderson Phillip. Photo- Twitter

On the other hand, the 25-year-old Phillip, the seamer from Trinidad whose only international outing came in an ODI against Sri Lanka last year has been rewarded for some decent domestic form. He is the leading wicket-taker after two rounds of the West Indies Championship and would be making his Test debut if selected.

John Campbell. Photo- Getty
John Campbell. Photo- Getty

Phillip has claimed 12 wickets at 14.25 across the opening two rounds of the West Indies Championship. John Campbell, meanwhile, has scored 213 runs at 53.25 – top-scoring with 127 against Barbados. In 15 Tests, the left-hander has hit 640 runs at 23.70 with a best of 68.

Read More  "It's okay to be unique" - Twitter slams Hardik Pandya as Sunrisers Hyderabad post highest-ever IPL total vs Mumbai Indians

Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shai Hope Dropped For The First Test Against England

Notable names such as Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shai Hope, Jeremy Solozano, and Jomel Warrican, who were part of West Indies’ previous Test series against Sri Lanka, which they lost 0-2 in November and December last year, have been dropped. Meanwhile, Shannon Gabriel misses out due to his hamstring injury.

Desmond Haynes. Photo- Twitter
Desmond Haynes. Photo- Twitter

Chief selector Desmond Haynes said: “Anderson Phillip bowled extremely well and was very impressive in the first two rounds of the West Indies Championship and we decided to give him an opportunity in the Test squad to face England. He has been around the squad before in white-ball cricket, so he has some experience at the international level.”

“I expect us to be very competitive against England. This should be a very exciting series, with a lot of players who are out to make their mark. We have a squad that has some experienced players, as well as some exciting young players and we expect them to equip themselves well and do the job,” he added.

England will warm up for the series with a four-day game against a Cricket West Indies President’s XI at Coolidge Cricket Ground. That team will include Shane Dowrich, who captains the group, and Raymon Reifer.

West Indies squad for the first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales

Read More  Luke Ronchi blatantly accuses PCB of spreading lies about him joining Pakistan team as their Head Coach

CWI President’s XI squad: Shane Dowrich (c), Raymon Reifer (vc), Colin Archibald, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Bryan Charles, Shermon Lewis, Preston McSween, Shayne Moseley, Jeremy Solozano, Shamar Springer, Devon Thomas

Also Read: UAE, Ireland Qualify For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022