Alzarri Joseph Replaces Injured Kemar Roach For Second Test Against Bangladesh
West Indies, on Tuesday, named Alzarri Joseph to replace injurd Kemar Roach in the 13-man squad named to face Bangladesh in the second Test.
Roach had suffered a hamstring strain in the first Test in Antigua. Prior to that, he had blown away the visitors, picking up 5 wickets for just 8 runs. As a result, Bangladesh were all out for just 43- their lowest score in Tests. Roach could not bowl after his first spell in the first innings. And the West Indies team-management has now rested him.
Roach’s absence, however, did not affect West Indies as they thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 219 runs. In the second innings, Shannon Gabriel had taken five while Jason Holder and Miguel Cummins shared the other five. Bangladesh were all out for just 144 while chasing 364.
Meanwhile, Joseph will be looking to make the most of this god-sent opportunity, The 21-year is returning to international cricket after a seven-month layoff due to a stress fracture injury. He impressed for WICB President’s XI in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, where he picked figures of 4 for 53. The speedster had dismissed Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan.
He had sustained the injury during the warm-up game against New Zealand A last year. As a result, he had missed the entire tour of New Zealand 2017. Since then, he has been involved in an intense program focused on bowling strength and conditioning. He was also a part of an Antigua-based T20 competition in May.
Coming to his Test career, the right-arm pacer has played six games so far, picking up 15 wickets. His last Test appearance came against England at Edgbaston in August 2017.
Meanwhile, the second Test will get underway on Thursday (July 12) at Jamaica.
West Indies squad for second Test:
Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Devon Smith.
