West Indies have made a few surprises in their starting XI for the first Test match against Australia at Kensington Oval, which bowls off on Wednesday at 10am.
Shai Hope, the Barbadian has been named in the team and will keep wicket as well.
This will be his first Test match since he last played in Sri Lanka in December 2021. They have also recalled opening batsman John Campbell, who last played against Bangladesh in Saint Lucia in June, 2022 and have given a Test debut to Brandon King at age 30, with a first-class average of 34.5 after 42 matches.
The Test matches will be the 50th for allrounder Roston Chase and first as captain in a revamped approach to the longest format. West Indies also have a new vice captain in Jomel Warrican, the left-arm spinner.
Australia have also named their starting XI. The upcoming match will be the first Test between West Indies and Australia in Barbados since April, 2012.
The upcoming series will mark the 95th anniversary since the two teams first faced each other in 1930. It will also signal 95 years of Test cricket at Kensington Oval and the 56th match played at the historic venue.
TEAMS
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Roston Chase (captain), Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
Reserves: Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Reserves: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Scott Boland, Matt Kuhnemann, Sean Abbott
MATCH OFFICIALS
ICC Match Referee: Javagal Srinath
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon
TV Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Third Umpire: Gregory Brathwaite
MATCH SCHEDULE
1st Test: June 25-29 at Kensington Oval, Barbados
2nd Test: July 3-7 at National Stadium, Grenada
3rd Test: July 12-16 at Sabina Park, Jamaica (day/night)
(PS)
This is due to trying to get a Balance Team.
I like to see my BEST KEEPER behind the Stumps.