ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase, both dismissed from the one-day squad after failing fitness tests, have been named among 26 players to compete in a four-day “Best vs Best” training match ”To prepare for next month’s two Test series against Sri Lanka.
Both players were expected to be named in the 13-man one-day squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka but Cricket West Indies (CWI) said they “failed to reach the minimum fitness standard in time for consideration selected. ”
However, Chase will now captain one of the 13-man squads for the fight set for March 8-11 at Coolidge Cricket Ground, with Hetmyer included in the other squad that will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite.
The core of the squad that toured Bangladesh earlier this month for the two-Test series will feature in the game along with several uncapped players.
“The ‘Best v Best’ match is part of our preparation for the Test series against Sri Lanka,” said head selector Roger Harper.
“It gives the players who performed well in the last West Indies Championship the opportunity to showcase their skills, playing against each other, which we expect to be very competitive and make a case for themselves.
“It’s an opportunity to raise their stock and show what they can do.”
Expectations are high ahead of the Sri Lankan test series which is bowling off March 21 at Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, especially after a strong West Indies team pulled off a stunning Bangladesh win in the recent series.
With the squad set to be boosted by those players who opted out of the series over COVID-19 concerns, the home team is expected to provide tremendous resistance to the tourists.
“The Test series victory in Bangladesh was a real pleasure to watch. The results were great, but the passion, the application and the determination, as well as the team spirit was exactly what we wanted to see, ”Harper noted.
“It was very encouraging to see everyone pulling together and working hard for each other and enjoying each other’s success.
“I think the team has performed far better than many people thought they were capable of. I’m really looking forward to seeing the team move forward and build from here. ”
Both Tests are part of a full series that bowls off Wednesday with three Twenty20 International in Coolidge.
This will be followed by three one-day Internationals carded for Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium from March 10-14.
The series is being played in a biosafety environment due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
SQUARE:
SQUARE A. – Kraigg Brathwite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Derval Green, Keon Harding, Shimron Hetmyer, Kavem Hodge, Paul Palmer jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Preston McSween, Jayden Seales.
SQUARE B – Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Nial Smith, Jomel Warrican.