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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has added fit-again Kemar Roach to the men’s squad for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, starting on June 16 in Antigua.
CWI confirmed that Roach, who had suffered a hamstring injury while representing Surrey in the County Championship in April, has recovered in time and passed a fitness test. He will be added as the 13th player in the team at the start of the Test series.
Notably, on June 9, CWI had announced a 12-member outfit, mentioning that Roach would only be added as the 13th player if the fast bowler clears the fitness test. Roach will now lead the West Indies pace attack, which also features Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Raymon Reifer and newcomer Anderson Phillip.
Roach was part of West Indies’ last Test series against England in March at home, which the hosts won 1-0. He finished the series as his side’s joint-highest wicket-taker along with Seales, taking 11 scalps in three matches.
Overall, in the longest format, the Barbados pacer has picked 242 wickets from 71 Test matches, averaging 27.18. He represented Surrey at the County Championship, where he bagged four wickets across two matches before sustaining the injury.
“It’s brilliant that he’s fit for the Test match. He’s always an inspiration for the younger players we have here, and he’s ready to go,” said West Indies head coach Phil Simmons in a statement.
“With 250 wickets around the corner, we’re happy with what he brings to the table, not just on the field but in the dressing room as well. I’m glad he’s fit and looking forward to seeing him getting out there and doing what he does so well,” he added.
West Indies squad (updated) for Bangladesh Tests:
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas, Kemar Roach.
Reserves: Tagernarine Chanderpaul, Shermon Lewis.
