Opener Devon Smith is axed but Sunil Ambris has been included in a Windies 15-man squad to tour India starting September 26.
The youthful-looking Caribbean side will play two Tests, five ODIs and three T20i during the seven-week tour.
Smith, 38, last played for the Windies during the visit of the Bangladesh team but scores of 58, 16 and 2 failed to impress the selectors, who had given the Grenadian left-hander yet another opportunity to take a permanent place in the senior squad.
Ambris, 25, had a nightmare debut against New Zealand in December 2017. He got out hit wicket to the very first ball he faced in Test cricket. In his next match, he got hit and went out injured. He is recalled after scoring a century (128) against India ‘A ‘in July.
He returns to the squad that defeated Bangladesh 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka this past summer to move up the Test rankings.
“The panel congratulates Jason Holder and his team on the excellent performance against Bangladesh. As the team embarks on a tough tour of India, the successes against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should hold them in good stead during the India series,” said Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne. “The panel welcomes back Sunil Ambris who missed the last couple of series due to injury, along with Jomel Warrican who adds a second spin bowling option to the attack.”
India, currently engaged in a five-Test series against England, offers a much sterner test for the Caribbean side.
West Indies and India have played 94 Tests against each other since 1948. West Indies has won 30, lost 28 and drawn 46 matches.
The full squad is Jason Holder (captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach and Jomel Warrican.
The Windies will play the first Test in Rajkot from October 4-8 with the second Test beginning in Hyderabad on October 12.
The ODIs are set to begin in Guwahati on October 21. The second match is set for Indore on October 24.
The Windies play the next ODI in Pune on October 27 with the fourth match following in Mumbai on October 29.
Trivanthapuram will host the final ODI on November 1.
The three T20s are set for November 4, 6, and 11 at Kolkata, Kanpur-Lucknow and Chennai, respectively.
At the completion of the India tour, the Windies will head to Bangladesh for their return series.
Source (sportmax)
