Unchanged Windies squad for Zimbabwe Tests
Windies on Tuesday (October 3) named an unchanged squad to be led by Jason Holder for its Test tour of Zimbabwe later this month.
The same 15 players that lost a three-match Test series 1-2 to England have been retained. Windies also suffered a 0-4 defeat in the subsequent five-match One-Day International series, while winning the only Twenty20 International game between the sides. There will, however, be no limited-overs internationals on this tour of Zimbabwe.
Courtney Browne, the chairman of selectors, said naming an unchanged Test squad was a way of rewarding the young Windies players who showed immense dedication on the recently concluded tour of England. “The selection panel is pleased to announce the same Test squad that toured England to visit Zimbabwe,” he said.
"The dedication, commitment, and focus in their preparation and during the series in England showed immense character for such a young team in very difficult conditions against world-class competition. The lessons learnt on that tour augur well for the individual players and the team's continued development as a whole and we wish them well on the tour of Zimbabwe."
Windies was routed by an innings in the first Test at Edgbaston before mounting a spectacular chase in the next Test in Leeds, when Shai Hope made a century in each innings to orchestrate a series-levelling five-wicket win. England took the series following its nine-wicket win in the final Test at Lord’s.
The batting department will be led by Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite, who also had a very good tour of England. Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Holder, Alzarri Joseph and Devendra Bishoo will shoulder the bowling responsibilities.
Windies will kick off its tour with a three-day practice match against Zimbabwe A from October 15 in Bulawayo. The first Test starts on October 21 and the second on October 29, and both games will be played at the Queens Sports Club, also in Bulawayo.
This will be Windies’ second tour to Zimbabwe in the last 12 months. It had travelled in November last year to feature in a tri-series, which also included Sri Lanka.
Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-capt), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.