Kraigg Brathwaite, captain of the West Indies, has finalized a largely inexperienced XI for the first Test against Australia next week. At least three debutants will be included in the lineup. During the warm-up match in Adelaide, several of the top order batsmen spent valuable time in the middle, with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva scoring a century on the final day. Promising performances were also put in by Kavem Hodge and Justin Greaves. The bowlers were able to dismiss the Cricket Australia XI for 174 in their first innings, with a standout performance from Shamar Joseph, who is in line for a Test debut.
Brathwaite didn’t reveal the exact composition of the XI but indicated that Hodge, Greaves, and Shamar may make their debuts. Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair also stand out as potential inclusions. Da Silva and Hodge’s batting in the second innings impressed Brathwaite, who emphasized the importance of consistency. Senior players like Roach and Brathwaite himself are expected to guide the young team, while the players familiar with the conditions from the previous tour will also be key.
Brathwaite also emphasized the importance of fielding, especially in Australia where the pitches offer considerable bounce. The team has been preparing in Adelaide and Brathwaite expressed satisfaction with the facilities and the squad’s use of them. West Indies’ squad is missing several senior players, including former captain Jason Holder and allrounder Kyle Mayers.
