Devon Smith recalled for Test series against Sri Lanka

Devon Smith has made a comeback to the Windies Test squad after a gap of over three years for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, while Jamar Hamilton, the wicket-keeper, has been drafted in for the first time, becoming only the second Anguillan to reach this level.

From the squad that toured New Zealand for the two-Test series in December 2017, Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Alzarri Joseph and Raymon Reifer have been left out, with the number trimmed to 13.

Jason Holder will continue to lead the side, which has Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich as the main batsmen apart from Smith. Devendra Bishoo is the frontline spinner, while Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Miguel Cummins are the main pacemen alongside all-rounder Holder.

Smith, 36, played the last of his 38 Tests in April 2015 against England in St George’s, Grenada, scoring 15 and 2. That put him out of the reckoning, but he now has a chance to add to his 1593 runs in the format, scored at an average of 24.50 with one century and six half-centuries.

He has been in good form recently, top scoring in the Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament in the Caribbean with 1095 runs at an average of 84.23. Smith hit six centuries in 10 games in the tournament.

“We have retained the core of the Test team as they remain competitive even after a tough series in New Zealand,” said Courtney Browne, the Chairman of Selectors. “Devon Smith had an outstanding year and players who excel to that degree should be recognised. We are trying to improve our top order batting performances.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, is an interesting pick, especially because he becomes the third wicket-keeping option in the squad of 13 alongside Dowrich and Hope. The wicket-keeper batsman is 27, and has played first-class cricket for over a decade now for 3315 runs at an average of 27.17 from 70 outings. This, to go with 155 dismissals at that level.

“Jamar Hamilton comes into the squad after consecutive strong performances over the last three years and showed even better quality in the A Team series against the England Lions,” noted Browne.

Omari Banks, the off-spinner, is the only other Anguillan to have played Test cricket. Banks played 10 Tests between 2003 and 2005 for 28 wickets.

The Windies, No.9 in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, will play three Test matches against the sixth-ranked Sri Lankans, with the first starting in Port of Spain on 6 June, followed by fixtures in Gros Islet and Bridgetown, the last one a day-night affair.

**Squad:**Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jamar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith