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ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced today a 13-member squad for the historic first Test of the Brighto Paints presents the Q Mobile Cup Series against Pakistan, starting on Friday at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, which will be hosting its 50th Test.

SQUAD
Jason Holder (Captain)
Devendra Bishoo
Jermaine Blackwood
Kraigg Brathwaite
Roston Chase
Miguel Cummins
Shane Dowrich
Shannon Gabriel
Shimron Hetmyer
Shai Hope
Alzarri Joseph
Kieran Powell
Vishal Singh

Full Story

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

No jason mohammed.. or spinner to back up bishoo.. ( cornwall or jacobs)..

In reply to allan

Chase is the 2nd spinner

Final X1 ... exclude Joseph and Blackwood

Batting Order
KB
KP
Hetmyer
SH
VS
RC
SD
JH
DB
MC
SG

In reply to doosra

Yep for now Chase plays. I'd like to see Cornwall or Jacobs in the squad but couldn't expect much changes in this the first test after the Paki series. I think the coach would like to see what the team was and then he might suggest some changes.

In reply to ellisstreet

I don't see that happening (with them leaving out Aljo and Blacky)
The two who will be out will be the two debutants.

1: KB
2: Powell
3: Hope
4: Hetmyer
5: Singh
6: Dorwich
7: Chase
8: Holder
9: Bishoo
10: Alzarri
11: Gabriel


That is my XI for the 1st Test!

In reply to ellisstreet

Blackwood should not be playing for Jamaica let alone WI...but then again we are taking about West Indies Selectors.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Not sure how Blackwood made the team but that should keep Slipfeeler happy. Blackwood still in the 13 but not in my XI:

Brathwaite
Powell
Hetmyer
Hope
Singh
Chase
Dowrich
Holder
Bishoo
Joseph
Gabriel

In reply to ellisstreet

I see Cummins and one of Singh or Hetmyer sitting. One Guyanese will sit and the other Guyanese will make his debut.

In reply to WestDem

If BLACKWOOD SELECTED...can't see Hetmyer playing in front him.

Cummins and Hetmyer will sit out.

In reply to analyst-kid

Ah suh majority of folks see it but like I said in my post...that is MY preferred XI.....and dat is to juss piss off slipfeeler a likkle more!!!

Think blackwood is playing the wrong version of cricket for wi

Blackwood will play, the man made over 500 runs this season

Good squad I wish them well, congrats and good luck to the debutants.

In reply to mitch44


I was hoping they would select Mohammed

In reply to silver

I thought they would have to after his performance against Pakistan.

In reply to tc1

that 534 was scored in 10 games...18 innings...1 NO at an average of 31.41 with four fifties...is nat like he is a clear cut selectee...

In reply to tc1

At an average of 31.41 or you conveniently forgot that?

In reply to voiceofreason

lol

how to lie with stats

What is very interesting ... No one is commenting
on the nonavailability of Darren Bravo.

In reply to ellisstreet

Badly missed

The eleven that will start on Friday in batting order will be...

1. K. Brathwaite
2. K. Powell
3. S. Hope
4. V. Singh (deserving debutant. I wish you great success)
5. J. Blackwood (it is a very bold move to stick with him after his continued failures in FC this season...being the only Jamaican also in the squad and playing at Sabina helps him to be in the starting X1)
6. R. Chase (bold move too knowing that he has generally had a below standard FC season)
7. S. Downrich (hoping he will remember how to bat)
8. J. Holder
9. D. Bishoo (does not deserve to play over Cornwall or Jacobs who are better wicket taking bowlers at this time)
10. A. Joseph
11. S. Gabriel

Carrying water for the first test will be Hetmyer (excellent to give an open door to a classy youth) and Cummins (I do not see why the selectors stick with him. He is a hot and cold player who is mostly cold)

Players who have been wrongly left out of the squad (J. Mohammed, R. Cornwall and R. Reifer)

In reply to solidrock

Prove dat with some stats nah?

In reply to solidrock

Bishoo took 18 wickets for likkle bit in UAE in the last series including 7 or 8 in the final test and was largely the reason wi won that test

what u talking

In reply to doosra

His love for Bishoo is well documented here...Weh Courtesy deh?

In reply to WestDem

I said if Bishoo is working with Dhanraj give him an opportunity to add variety to his bowling.

My statement about Bishoo not being effective was endorsed by the commentators on IPL today..."all the leggies who are taking wickets are doing so with the googly or flipper."

If Bishoo cannot bowl the googly consistently in the coming test match he should not be persisted with. It's time for him to have variety up his sleeve.

Muscle memory is working against him...it will be an uphill task.

In reply to solidrock

Roston Chase avg 41.44 with 373 runs with the bat and 24 wickets avg 19.16 with the ball....him Reifer,Greaves and Primus were the leading allrounders in the regional four day tournament.

Bishoo has the highest avg of ALL spin bowlers vs PAK presently playing...27 wickets at 31.07....he last took 7/123 in the last vs Pak in UAE in a winning cause....he merits his play.

My problem is the captain Holder. although he has the highest avg of ALL bowlers vs Pak 9 wickets at 23.66...he needs to produce the kind of performance one of his challengers Reifer did for the Prez 11 vs Pak...he needs to step up with bat and ball and continue from the 5fer he took against Pak in the last test they played.

why is it historic?

what is historic about it?

Good squad selected blackwood and cummins to sit

In reply to analyst-kid

Simple...play Holder at 5 and play a Reifer or Cornwall type at 8. In fact on certain wickets like perhaps in Jamaica you can leave out Bishoo and play another quick like Kemar Roach.

I challenge anyone to tell me that Holder won't make as many runs as a Blackwood. That said Vishaul Singh must play.

There are three slots to fill from the last series. #2, #3 and #4 batsmen. So Powell replaces Johnson at #2. Hetmyer replaces lil Bravo at #3. Hope replaces Samuels at #4. Singh shadows Blackwood.

Brathwaite
Powell
Hetmyer
Hope
Blackwood
Chase
Dowrich
Holder
Bishoo
Joseph
Gabriel

In reply to Baje

I agree with mkcharles here....Singh must play!

Hetmyer in front Blackwood is no problem with me though...Hetmyer is one for the future and a possible future captain.

In reply to WestDem

These selectors could NEVER get it right!

Blackwood? Dead weight

Chase? Nothing since the 100 vs India, A good off break bowler should bowl doosra. Did nothing really this season.

Cummings? Nothing, no impact.


Mohammed. Inform
Cornwall. Good all rounder
Reifer. All round signs

As well as the need for good batsmen against spin bowling vs Pak. Our pitches are more suitable for spin bowling, yet our batsmen are unable to play good spin bowling. This series is going to be a no contest in Pakistan favor.

In reply to analyst-kid

Singh batted really well against Shah and co in his last knock. His left handedness is required against this Pakistan attack. More than anything he look like the sort of temperamentally strong type that this team needs at this time.

As for Hetmyer it's a hard call. He is a very talented boy who could be a future star. International cricket in a weak team is the hardest way to do it. If he does come off, we will have a very special player so I wish him well.

In reply to azadtnt

I could agree with you but until Blackwood,Chase and Cummins fails and fails they will be around this squad.

Chase needs some test runs but he is sustained after being on a winning test team and maintaining his status in the regional competition as the best batsman of all the wicket taking spinners.

Cummins for the third consecutive season on averages and wickets remains the leading fastbowler in the regional tournament.

Blackwood is on the ropes. A knockout punch of a failure could put him out as he has no regional stats or test stats to back his retention except the feeling he is a "big day" man.

Blackwood has shown nothing in the long form even at Regional level avg 31?????

Jason Mohd is in form and should be in the squad.

Bishoo is lucky as a leggie without a flipper and googly to still be getting a look.

We need good batsmen of spin and pace against Pak.

In reply to moneybrain

Bishoo got wickets in last test series vs Pak. Please look up stats before opining it will make you seem less foolish

It will be hard to win a Test match with only 3 recognized bowlers and Jason Holder.

So we must go in looking to take 20 wickets.

Kraigg
Powell
Hope
Blackwood
Chase
Holder
Dowich
Bishoo
Joseph
Gabriel
Cummings

In reply to Gun_Play

The tail start from 5, not a good team.

In reply to Gun_Play

Man you're leffing out de two new Guyneez?

Please don't cut short de euphoria or be cussed.

You tink Law and Order are not in charge.

In reply to moneybrain

JoMo has always been a very good 50 over batsman. We seem to think because he is doing it now in international ODI that it means that he has changed fundamentally as a batsman.

What has happened is that he has now converted his List A form to international matches.

There is nothing that JoMo has done in the past or now after 12 seasons suggest that he should play Test Cricket, even before Blackwood.

JoMo, Carter and a few others have all the natural talent in the world but they are not temperamentally good enough to play Test Cricket. Blackwood will fall by the wayside unless he realizes that in test cricket the top six collectively has to bat 80 percent of 200 odd overs to save a cricket match. If he or any of them can't bat 200 balls in a test cricket match they won't make the grade.

In reply to kingdom

If five batsmen can't make runs then the team ia beaten before the match start.

Beside Holder and Dowrich has better technique than most in the top five.

In reply to Courtesy

I woukd like to play Vishaul but I can't see Blackwood being selected and not playing in the first test.

In reply to Gun_Play

Just be prepared to suffer the wrath of the Guyneez.

I think this team well short on bowling and missing Cornwall and Roach

6.Dowrich
7. Cornwall
8. Holder
9. Bishoo
10.Roach
11. Gabriel

Reifer should actually play for Holder

The actual XI from the squad though

KB
KP
Hetmyer
Hope
Blackwood
Chase
Dowrich
Holder
Bishoo
Gabriel
Joseph

Why the hell is Cummins being persisted with..And when will Holder be replaced by a better bowler?

Hetmyer must get a play. What do you guys have to lose?

In reply to cricketest

It is historic because it's the 50th at Bina.

It will be historic as it is the start of your
WONDIES slide down the abyss.

WATCH DE RIDE

FUNNY AS FCUK.

HA HA HA HA

DE NEW MERLE (OZZIE SUPPORTA)

In reply to mitch44

Again Blackwood has the most half centuries than any other young player, despite his poor regional showing, he always better performer during test matches, plus he has better test average than some others test batsmen.

Good luck to the squad.

In reply to WestDem

Higher standards XI?

At least we spared de cow bawlin bout cheesey and hetey eh get pick......Phew!

unless.....one a fetch wata and de nex wan carry towel.....den is major cow bawlin in we tail!

hetmyer has to play. period

In reply to imusic

Thank god fuh Angel how the mighty legastructure Ozzies of the WI fell so bro

In reply to mitch44

The selectors are a joke given Blackwoods failed performances recently but it should be interesting to see how this team works out

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.comOur last team was
Brathwaite
Johnson
Bravo
Samuels
Blackwood
Chase
Dowrich
Holder
Bishoo
Joseph
Gabriel

There are three automatic replacements: Powell; Hetmeyer and Hope as replacements. Cummins to replace Joseph; Joseph to play if Gabriel is unfit. Singh sits unless Hetmeyer or Hope is benched.

I don't like this squad, its batting and bowling short.
6. Hope/Dowrich*
7. Holder
8. Cornwall
9. Gabriel
10 Cummins
11. Joseph/Bishoo

1. Brathwaite
2. Powell
3. Hetmeyer
4. Blackwood*
5. Chase*/Singh

Cornwall must play this cricket

Cummins
Singh

In reply to Courtesy There is no such thing as muscle memory. An archaic quasi-scientific term.

In reply to ellisstreet
"nonavailability of Darren Bravo."
For what, the WICP regional?

In reply to Blackbird
Going from yr team, if they play Hetmeyer, they will open with him. So, it will be Powel at 3 and Hope at 4.

In reply to Gun_Play

That is a good team to take twenty wickets.

If Singh and Hetmyer are in the twelve given to Holder, he will pencil out Hetmeyer. If Cummins is in the twelve given to Holder, both of them will have to sit.

In reply to TheTrail


I think they will play Singh and bat him at 3

Guys I know allyuh excited because muddies are selected. But don't be disappointed if they don't deliver on the spot. Test players are developed. Windians want instant success. So we chop we change, all the wrong ones. Hence we are where we are.

In reply to runout

The muddies present higher standard.

In reply to TheTrail

Bro, the captain is given a team, Lara is the only captain that ignored the management decision.

In reply to cricketest

50th Test at Sabina

Hetmyer and Cummins will sit

In reply to imusic

JA will have the fire engines on the ready..
That team going down in flames.

In reply to Runs

Enjoy your phyrric victory bro

In reply to openning

What ever you say boss, but looks at the big picture - Gabriel is not 100% and this is not fifty overs where you could sit out your ten overs and call it wally...

In reply to imusic

what Victory, it was bait and switch

In reply to TheTrail

No one expect The Angel Gabriel to play, if he is under the wire, but I do think the players that played in the last test, will be selected.

Still no Ambris I see.

In reply to WestDem

He has good company then.

Up until before the PAK scores:

Powell had 342 runs in 12 with no NO at average of 28.50
Singh had 317 runs in 13 with 1 NO at an average of 26.41

Both now up to 37 (average) in one match.

An unlikely unbeaten 100 in this match would see him too up to a 37 average.

Such is the fickleness...but he did fail this regional season. Hopefully he'll recover.

In reply to imusic

Deo was de best towel fetcher coming out of Mudland

He took his job seriously...yet dem drop him

I do not like some of the selections, I think Mohammed should have been included as he has proven he can perform on the international stage, Hetmeyer could have been given more time in the regional games, however the coach and selectors have the final say.

In reply to Runs

This game is at Sabina not the ME.

I want Bishoo to do well/develop but without good variation, masterful players of spin will flay him more often than not.

In my day U-19 leggie had variation a plenty.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Blackwood has a 1st Cl, dungheap, avg of 31 with 4 centuries, while Hope avg is 45 with 5 centuries and is more than 2 yrs younger.

In reply to mkcharles

With comments like this which I respect but totally in disagreement kind of make me understand and question why WI cricket is suffering?

The infrastructure of WI cricket is less to nothing, therefore the cupboard is empty. We do not have or produce quality players anymore. Take a good look at this team and really tell me if this team is capable of taking 20 wickets and making 300 runs in any test match???

Geographic politics by the WICB, selectors and some fans continue to plague WI cricket and dispite the horrible record of late we continue to play dead weight players and deprive others that is inform and deserves a look.

Sad very sad!!

In reply to solidrock

Bishoo has been one of the most consistent bowlers for the windies in recent times mate.

It does not matter whether Hetmyer is selected in the final XI or not because he is going to be one of the WI top test batsmen over the next 15 years.He follows in the tradition of Lara,Chanderpaul and Sarwan.
Pity so many people on this board have zero vision.

In reply to mkcharles

The Ja wicket is not what you perceive it to be. "What used to be is not anymore!" I do agree Holder should be more of a batsman that bowls and pick four frontline bowlers Gabriel, Joseph, Cornwall & Bishoo then you have Holder, Reifer and even Mohammed (if selected) to add to your variety. To be competitive in any test match, you must take twenty wickets at a decent economy rate. Our batsmen are going in to bat under a lot of pressure most of the time with Hugh scores and tied after fielding for almost two days.

My squad would have been Brathwaite, Powell, Hope, Mohammed, Singh, Holder, Dowrich, Cornwall, Bishoo, Joseph, Gabriel, Reifer, Hetmyer and Cariah.

Bowlers that can take 20 wickets and batsmen that could bat both spin and pace/seam.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

This is one of the reasons why our players are not improving. Their selection is almost certain hence no reason for discipline, respect or good work ethic.

Blackwood, Chase Cummings and even for most part Holder have not produced close to their expectations. No consistency or improvements in their game yet they continue to be considered while players who have improved and consistent are being ignored. Mohammed, Reifer, Khan, Miller, Cornwall!!!!???

The selectors may have played for their country or the region but with very little success. How are they qualified for the job of selector?

In reply to azadtnt

You like others go for the flavour of the series, ignoring players last series performance, the West Indies won its last test against Pakistan, and you want to dropped Blackwood and Chase.
Both guys are still green at the International level, and can only get better by playing against the best.
Whats needed is an opener to partner Kraigg, Darren Bravo back at #3, and above average spinner.
Gabriel, Joseph and Holder can spearhead the bowling core.

In reply to azadtnt

We don't have to split hairs bro because all the players we are "arguing" about are marginal. It all come down to personal preference and what how we think the game should be played.

I think JoMo has great skills just like I do a guy like a Carter, but these guys have shown consistently that they are mentally deficient. JoMo has been a consistent List A Player for a while so a few good international innings NOW in ODI does not now supplant the evidence of 11 years of underachievement for his talent. It's why Samuels has played for so long. His so called "Sub-par" performances have still been better than all of the pretenders of the current vintage both locally and internationally.

In order to win we have to first know how to set up not to lose. We continually play teams that cannot take 20 wickets and we play top order batsmen who have demonstrated that they cannot bat 200 balls in a match regardless of their chosen method. We have a love for the stylist and the shot makers, but our best run scorer still churns out scores at an age past 40 because he truly understands the art of batting.

Left to me I would have Gabriel, Alzharri and Roach all in my XI as would I bat Jason at No.5. The balance of our teams and the roles of players have been our biggest problem given our current resources. The likes of Blackwood will not win us matches let alone draw one since Test Cricket is a 450 overs game and he cannot stay at the crease long enough to make a difference. Time is the most precious asset in Test Cricket.

We also have to pick horses for courses and while Bishoo may have won a match on the continent and the pitches here are sub-par and underprepared, unless he is an exceptional spinner, which he isn't, how can he or any of the spinners play every match. That is why there has to be a role in a squad for a Chase, for a Cornwall type for balance and we cant discount a Reifer type to replace one of the three pacers (excluding Jason)to bring balance and give the captain varying OPTIONS.

I support the inclusion of Singh, and Hetmeyer is an imaginative pick. We will find out a lot about the recalled Powell this series and I will give him the benefit of my scepticism. I wish him well. Hope is an improving talent and the rest earn their play because they are as honest as the day is long.

In reply to mkcharles

u have some long postings

Blackwood plays, Sabina Park.

[b]In reply to openning[/b

Players at any level are normally analyzed by other team technical staff. It is the players and their coaching staff to work on their weaknesses and strengthen their game. It is apparent the WI players are the least improved players today. Hence we have dropped down the rating while others have improved. The work ethic, diet and mental development of our players are poor, the evidence is on the field.

The other aspect of this is the Administration who have failed to implement and strengthen the infrastructure of the sport in the region. They are occupied by incompetent personnel hence one of the main reasons for a falling sport in the region.

We as fans can only voice our opinion based on what is being produced on the field together with the overwhelming politics that is suppressing the progress of the sport and players in the region.

Blackwood should be in the ODI and t20 setup NOT Test
Chase is an onside batsman and is limited and targeted when batting. His bowling needs variation such as a doosra, his height is an advantage but his overall performances have been below par.
Holder needs to work on his bowling he should be in the team for his batting and not as a main bowler. His captaincy his also a ???
Cummings needs another chance on home soil where he will be more relaxed.
The bowlers NEED to bowl a good line and length and use the short ball as a tool NOT a regular ball.

My choice of thirteen where the batting is very inexperienced and needs to be strengthen hence the need for selecting inform players KB, KP, Hope, Singh, Moh'd, Holder, Dorwrich, Reifer, Cornwall, Joseph, Gabriel, Jacobs, Cariah.

Remember this is my choice and brief reasoning behind my selection.

In reply to tc1

sorry...

In reply to azadtnt

..and you are entitled to your opinions too...

BTW there is nothing wrong with being an "on-side" player in the same way that there are some who stay leg side and only play through the off side. If the player is a hard worker, understands his game and understands how to construct an innings then success can also be achieved...temperament and aptitude is what gets you runs in cricket even for the genius of our time like Garry, Viv, Lara.

I for example consider Lil Bravo to be a limited batsman whose weaknesses are well documented by international bowlers, but yet most consider him to be Lara Mark II based on how he picks up the blade and plays through the off side.

I have said my bit on how I believe the cricket should be played even if a bit long winded for some...

BTW
Hety is over 1000 FC runs at 35+

that is not bad for a 20 year old

In reply to Narper

In reply to mkcharles


kool bru, just joking, good analysis

In reply to Raggs



Blackie is needed as a senior to take the pressure off on Shai

In reply to mkcharles

You mentioned some great names, however, Chase, Bravo etc are no greats. Hence the reasoning behind my opinion. These guys have a very poor work ethic where discipline, respect and hard work is lacking in their preparation to become better players. It's difficult to support or defend them when their performances speak for itself.

So, how did the new inclusions in the Test team perform in the PCL?

1) Kieran Powell - 342 runs @ ave of 28.50
2) Shimron Hetmyer - 496 runs @ ave of 38.15
3) Vishaul Singh - 317 runs @ ave of 26.41

Veterans Shiv Chanderpaul and Devon Smith outperformed this trio in the PCL. Kyle Hope, Yannick Cariah, Sunil Ambris, Jahmar Hamilton and Raymon Reifer all did better too, but have been ignored. This seems to tell me that the WICB still consider the PCL to be a low-quality tournament, and that a one-off match against a rusty Pakistan side trying to get used to Caribbean conditions is of more value....

The PCL clearly still has a long way to go to get credibility.

West Indies Brathwaite, Powell, Hetmyer, Hope, Singh, Dowrich (wk), Chase, Holder (capt), Bishoo, Joseph, Gabriel

This is called thinking like a West Indian Selecta! Only error is the #3 and #4 batting!