With just two weeks to go for the IND vs WI Test, Cricket West Indies has announced its preparation camp squad for the series. Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead the side, but there are glaring absences due to the World Cup Qualifiers. The Men in Maroon are in Zimbabwe until July 9, three days before the India vs West Indies 1st Test in Dominica.
Also Read: Amol Muzumdar, Jon Lewis, and Tushar Arothe Lead Race for India Women’s Head Coach, CAC Decision Awaited on July 3
It is important to note that the announcement is of a preparatory squad. Several West Indies all-format players are currently in Zimbabwe featuring in the World Cup Qualifiers. The likes of Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers and Alzarri Joseph are all expected to feature should they arrive in time for the 1st Test. West Indies play their last Super Six game on July 7, with the final on July 9.
The journey from Harare to Dominica is long with very limited flights available. That puts the participation of their all-format players in jeopardy. Should West Indies however make it to the final, they could simply field an inferior team. Reaching the final guarantees a World Cup place, winning the tournament has no added incentive.
Among the players named in the 18-man squad include Test specialists Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, alongside Josh Da Silva and Kemar Roach. Shannon Gabriel, Anderson Phillip, Rakheem Cornwall, Jayden Seales & Nkrumah Bonner are also part of the camp. Some of the new faces include Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze and Jair McAllister.
The training camp begins at CCG in Antigua on Friday, 30 June. The team travels to Dominica on Sunday 9 July. Holder & Co are expected to join the team directly in Dominica. India themselves hold a training camp in Barbados, before travelling for the match.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow India vs West Indies Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
