Warrican included in West Indies Test squad

Jomel Warrican, the 24-year-old left-arm spinner, was the only addition as West Indies named a 15-man squad to take on Pakistan in a three-Test series starting October 13 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium – a day-night, pink-ball affair.

Warrican played the last of his four Tests in January this year against Australia in Sydney but was ignored for the four-Test series against India. He has 11 wickets from his four Tests, with an average of 46.27. He has strong first-class credentials, though, with 105 wickets from 24 outings at an average of 20.02.

Warrican’s inclusion adds variety to West Indies's spin attack, which has Devendra Bishoo, the leg-spinner, as the only other specialist option. Roston Chase and Kraigg Brathwaite are the part-time spin options in the Jason Holder-led side for pitches expected to bring spinners into play.

Shannon Gabriel, the senior-most pace bowler, will continue to lead the attack alongside the inexperienced Alzarri Joseph and Miguel Cummins, and Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite, the medium pacers.

The batting department has no changes from the one that lost 2-0 to India at home in July-August.

Pakistan and West Indies are currently engaged in a three-match Twenty20 International series, which Pakistan has clinched with one game left, and will next play three One-Day Internationals before shifting to the longest format.

The opening Test will be the first experience of pink-ball days’ cricket for both sides, and the series will then continue under usual Test-match conditions in Abu Dhabi (October 21 to 25) and Sharjah (October 30 to November 3).

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-capt), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican.