Kemar Roach returns to WI squad for New Zealand Tests
What's the story
West Indies have announced the recall of veteran pacer Kemar Roach for their upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. The 37-year-old last played a Test in January during the tour of Pakistan. His inclusion will add experience to a relatively young pace attack, which also features 29-year-old Ojay Shields, who is making his international debut. Here are further details.
Stats
Roach boasts 284 Test wickets
One of the finest WI pacers in the modern era, Roach is the only bowler from West Indies to have snapped up 250 Test wickets in the last 28 years. He currently owns 284 wickets from 85 Tests at a fine average of 27.21. This includes 14 four-wicket hauls and 11 fifers. Only Courtney Walsh (519), Curtly Ambrose (405), Malcolm Marshall (376), and Lance Gibbs (309) boast more Test wickets in WI colors.
Squad dynamics
Roach's experience to balance inexperienced pace attack
The West Indies squad for the New Zealand tour is a mix of experience and youth. Along with Roach, all-rounder Kavem Hodge has also been recalled. However, Khary Pierre has been dropped from the squad. Cricket West Indies's Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said that they have "strong emphasis on targeted preparation," given New Zealand's reputation as a tough place for touring sides.
Warm-up match
West Indies squad to join ongoing ODI series
Roach and Shields, along with other squad members, have completed a two-week high-performance camp in Antigua. They will join the rest of the squad on November 20 for a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch. The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with West Indies currently at the bottom of the table among teams that have played at least one Test in this cycle.
Information
West Indies squad for Test tour of New Zealand
Squad: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice- Captain), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields