
An injury blow hit the West Indies’ cricket team ahead of their Test tour of England after Kemar Roach opted out of the squad due to a knee injury picked up while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship. The 35-year-old veteran, known for his expertise about reverse swing, bagged 18 wickets at an average of 25.77 in six matches for Surrey this season, and it was a clinching 6 for 46 spell against Warwickshire.
The fast bowler represented one of the cornerstones of West Indies’ attack, taking 270 Test wickets; he will not be replaced by a seasoned quick bowler, but Jeremiah Louis, a young fast bowler from St Kitts and Nevis, who is yet to make his international debut, will replace him. Desmond Haynes, the lead selector of West Indies, confessed that Roach’s absence would mean losing a certain level of skill and experience but put up a confident face about Louis making a difference.
It means that the upcoming Test series against England is certainly ruled out for Roach, with the first Test due to start at Lord’s on July 10. He will be so badly missed by the Caribbean side due to this injury. Fast bowler Kemar Roach took a big injury blow for the West Indies but took it all in his stride, hopeful that very soon his injury problems will subside as he, by necessity, assumes a mentoring role with the younger bowlers in this very squad.
Besides Louis, Cricket West Indies has also confirmed the inclusion of Isai Thorne, a 19-year-old fast bowler from Guyana, as a development player. The West Indies team, led by Kraigg Brathwaite, comprises young talents who are getting ready for the fight against England.
West Indies squad for Test Tour of England
Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph (vc), Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair
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