Roach, Da Silva unavailable for 1st Test against Pakistan

On By Littum

Sport

Jelani Beckles



In this file photo, West Indies' Joshua Da Silva bats against Australia on the second day of the first Test match in Adelaide, Australia, Jan. 18, 2024. - AP PHOTO
In this file photo, West Indies’ Joshua Da Silva bats against Australia on the second day of the first Test match in Adelaide, Australia, Jan. 18, 2024. – AP PHOTO

WEST INDIES will be without their most experienced fast bowler Kemar Roach and wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva for the opening Test match of the two-match series against Pakistan.

The series starts at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, Pakistan from 12.30 (TT time) on 17 January.

During a pre-series media conference, Brathwaite said that fast bowler Anderson Phillip is also unavailable.

“Kemar Roach is not well so he is out for this game. Joshua Da Silva, he is also out and Anderson Phillip is out. We have a 12-man squad and tomorrow (January 17) of course we take the decision on the final XI.” Roach, 36, has taken 282 wickets in 84 Test matches since his debut in 2009. Da Silva has been first-choice keeper since 2020 and Phillip has just two caps under his belt.

West Indies will have to bank on pacer Jayden Seales along with medium pacer Justin Greaves.

>

When the team was announced, it was revealed that two other Windies fast bowlers were unavailable.

“Shamar Joseph will continue his rehabilitation from injury while Alzarri Joseph will be unavailable due to other commitments,” said a Cricket West Indies media release.

The spinners may have a heavy workload in the absence of the fast bowlers. Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican are the slow-bowling options for Brathwaite.

Spin is expected to account for the series and Brathwaite said his players are up to the task.

“I have full confidence that this team will face any bowler around the world… I think what I have preached to the batsmen is just to believe and be brave… fully convinced, that everyone here can do well against any team in the world.”

West Indies 12-man squad for first Test vs Pakistan: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican.