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With two rounds remaining I have seen enough:
Out are:
Mikyle Louis
Kavem Jodge
Alick Athanaze
Kevin Sinclair
Keacy Carry

In are:
John Camble
De Silva
Imlach
Kevlon Anderson
Amir Jangoo

Campbell vs Louis:

John Campbell, age 31, 20 tests, 888 runs @ 26 (HS 68 ) 3 fifties
Mikyle Louis, age 24, 9 tests, 358 runs @ 20 (HS 97) 2 fifties

Current first class season - Campbell has over 400 runs (avg 57) with a pair of centuries, whereas Louis is nearing 300 runs (avg 41) with one century.

Athanaze, Carty & Sinclair are all well out of form, despite their obvious talent. They will need to dramatically turn their seasons around to be in with a shout of making the squad to face the Aussies. The highest score between all three of those batsmen during the championship season is currently 39 (Athanaze). That simply is not good enough for your test match middle order.

Hodge has faired slightly better but is still shy of where you would like him to be. His 200 runs have come at an average of 33, with a battling 126 being the only time that he has managed to perform.

Joshua Da Silva has responded well to losing his place in the test side, scoring nearly 400 runs thus far at an average of 75, with his three centuries only matched by teammate Jason Mohammed.

Tevin Imlach has been superb since he stepped behind the stumps in Pakistan. His glovework in that series was exceptional, among the finest I have seen by any keeper for many years. The regional season has seen him match Da Silva in terms of runs scored and he has also registered a pair of centuries.

The manner in which Kevlon Anderson bats looks perfectly suited to test cricket. He always looks calm, composed and generally, plays with decent shot selection. Averaging towards 60 with a pair of centuries, he must be in the conversation at this stage.

It would be nice to see Jangoo kick on and convert one of his starts - three half centuries but a highest of 84. He is, without a doubt, a fine player. A strong finish to the regional season will put him in with a shout of making the squad.

I would like to add several batsmen that were not named in the initial post, namely, the veteran Jason Mohammed who despite his advancing age, has performed better than any batsman in the region (he is over 100 runs ahead of the next batsman in terms of runs scored). Three centuries and an average over 100 at a very good strike rate makes him the exception as far as being overlooked due to age. If you want the best chance to win now, you would probably have to select him today. Another batsman aged over 30 but delivering the goods this season is Jonathan Drakes of Barbados. With over 400 runs and an average nearing 60, two hundreds and a pair of fifties, he has shown good, consistent batting this year.

Before I name the final player on my list, I would give honorable mentions to Evelyn, Cooper, Bowen-Tuckett & another veteran, Hamiliton.

Finally, I come to the one player that probably excites me most of all from this season's regional century makers. That is the youngster Jewel Andrew, who despite only recently turning 18 years of age, has made his maiden first class century and has just under 400 runs for the season (at an average of nearly 50) with three half centuries to go with his ton. After only 13 first class matches, Andrew has nearly 800 runs at an average approaching 40, with a strike rate of 75. With half a dozen fifties to go with his recent century, the young man clearly has both ability and an appetite for batting.

We are often very hesitant to test youth, for fear that they may be harmed by playing against strong opposition or on a difficult surface. Well, sometimes, the chance is worth taking. Personally, I would strongly consider Jewel Andrew at this stage. To have him at least, in the squad and getting a feel for test match cricket and the demands it places upon your concentration, surely will do him good in the long term. If the season ended today and the test squad was to be selected on current form, he would make my squad. The final XI? Probably not yet but that day would likely not be too far away.

If the West Indies select a bunch of wicket-keeper batsmen, as it looks like they should do on current form (Imlach, Da Silva & possibly Jangoo), then so be it. The batting order needs serious work from top to middle. Time for change.

In reply to bird

Camble?

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Marlon Samuels debuted against Australia at 19.

In reply to natty_forever

Absolutely. If you are good enough, then you are old enough. If the likes of Andrew and other youngsters are the best around, then their tender age should not old them back. For me, at this stage, he at the least, should make the test squad. Give him a close look at test cricket and the environment - especially the concentration factor.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

I am not commenting on Andrew's place in/out of the squad. I am asking you, does he need to be in the squad to watch Australia show concentration?

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

I did not mention Andrew because I thought a little more time may be good but I really do not have a problem if he gets a look in now, they are exception to the rules and he might be one

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

What about Paint, didn't he score a double? How his numbers stack up so far this season?

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Super analysis, any chance you would do a similar one on the bowling options.
A bit more straight forward maybe, but interested in your thoughts.

In reply to Kay

Paint is untouchable there is no one to captain

In reply to Kay

Brathwaite has 350 runs at an average of 70, with the double ton you mentioned the highest score in the region this season. I have not mentioned him as the original post relates to who should possibly be left out of the test batting order and who could be in with a shout of making the squad.

In reply to JoeGrine

Any youngster being around the test set up would benefit from the five days of non-stop focus and especially, the chance to be there watching the best of the best up close. My point is I would like to see the young man in the squad, even if they choose not to select him for the final XI.

In reply to Conorboy

Thank you.

With the bowlers, the West Indies are clearly in a much healthier state than with their batting. Seales has been fantastic for the past twelve months or so, taking wickets on a regular basis and gradually becoming the spearhead of a new West Indies attack. At just 23, he already has 75 test wickets (avg. 22) and an impressive strike rate of a wicket every 39 balls. Along with the prodigious talent of Shamar Joseph, the new ball literally looks like it is in good hands for years to come. Add the vast wealth of experience Kemar Roach brings, as an on-field coach to the younger bowlers, not to mention he still has the ability to take wickets - the fast bowling unit looks well set.

Jomel Warrican & Gudakesh Motie formed a potent spin attack against Pakistan on their cracked dust bowls, more so once Motie learned how bowling slower was troubling the batsmen more than firing in darts in white ball mode. At home, we are unlikely to see them both in tandem but it will be a tough call on whichever one loses out. Veteran spinners Permaul, Cornwall & Pierre continue to take domestic wickets for fun, as does the young WI Academy all-rounder Joshua Bishop, who in addition to his 21 wickets (avg. 27), has made over 300 runs (avg. 52) including a century, two fifties and all of which has come at over a run-a-ball.

Others who are going to be in the conversation for places will include the likes of Alzarri Joseph, who came back into form in this week's demolition of CC&C by the Leewards at Coolidge. His match figures of 9/54 will no doubt have given him a timely boost in confidence. We must remember that although he has been around for a while, he is 28 and potentially has plenty of cricket at the highest level ahead of him. Over 100 test wickets at a fair, if not spectacular average thus far, now, more than ever, he needs to show consistency. For AlJo is not the only quick who is staking a claim for selection, with the Barbadian youngster Johann Layne making great strides this season - currently has 20 wickets at 19 apiece, as many as any other seam bowler. Akeem Jordan will no doubt be in the conversation too, along with the Guyanese Ronaldo Alimohamed, a man having an excellent season thus far (20 wickets at 13).

In reply to bird



What's IN and Out...
Silva
Imlach
Jangoo

All were in the test squad to Pakistan....in fact Imlach and Jangoo played ....

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

He has nothing to gain hanging around this present lot of excuses for Test quality players. He could look across the fence at the Australians to learn a thing or two.

In reply to JoeGrine

Well, they just drew a series away in Pakistan. They actually won the last test match that they played against this fine Australian side so despite the batting line up and their obvious short comings, they are not totally pathetic.

The bowling especially offers plenty of hope for the future.

In reply to bird

IMO, one should start by naming the last starting 11, which is: -
Kraigg Brathwaite (c)
Mikyle Louis 
Amir Jangoo 
Kavem Hodge 
Alick Athanaze 
Justin Greaves 
Tevin Imlach †
Kevin Sinclair 
Gudakesh Motie 
Kemar Roach 
Jomel Warrican 

Now the changes may be: -
Kraigg Brathwaite (c) I hope I'm wrong, but likely to stay as cappo.
Mikyle Louis, likely to be replaced by Campbell
Amir Jangoo 
Kavem Hodge replaced by Anderson
Alick Athanaze replaced by Hope
Justin Greaves, replaced by Holder
Tevin Imlach †
Kevin Sinclair replaced by a Seales
Gudakesh Motie replaced by S. Joseph
Kemar Roach 
Jomel Warrican

Therefore starting 11: -
Kraigg Brathwaite (c)
Campbell
Amir Jangoo 
Anderson
Hope
Holder
Tevin Imlach †
Seales
S. Joseph
Kemar Roach 
Jomel Warrican

The other squad members are: -
A. Joseph
G. Mootie
J. Greaves
M. Louis

Sorry, no room for Dasilva, who is on next A Team
Bishop
Pierre
Sinclair
J. Blades
Chase
And others who are pressing.

Of course this is subject to change depending n the last 2 rounds.

Here's the batting and bowling stats for the tournament to date..

Batting

Bowling

In reply to TanteMerle

correct method adopted.....

I assume only three people going to be dropped...from 15 squad...

Carty
Phillips... unfortunately
Greaves..

Rest of squad depends on type of pitch....rank turner or green top ..Sammy already expressed his mind of selecting players with experience...moreover, new selection policy does not only take into account runs scored/ wickets taken.....but also condition and situations......my team of 16....

Braithwaite
Louis..if fails in first test only then Campbell
Jangoo
Athanaze... against South Africa match saving 90.. against Pakistan tremendous 50...
Hodge
Holder
Imlach
Silva....was in Pakistan squad...came back....score loads of runs.. can' t be dropped..

Roach
Joseph
Shamar
Seales
Motie
Warican
Chase or Sinclair

Picked 16....type of pitch unknown.....it should be rank turner like in Pakistan or green top .... otherwise flat pitch.... Australia will roll over West Indies...

Layne may be with team ...for learning..

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Very good, I think Aljo is a certainty unless his behavioral issues work against him.
The one I think should not be overlooked is Anderson Philips, to my eye he has picked up pace and rarely bowls a bad ball.

In reply to TanteMerle

Chase is nowhere close to red ball selection. Brathwaite looked totally at sea during the TT game, that last dismissal was as ghastly as I’ve over seen. There is more than enough room for da Silva because the WI batting unit is very inconsistent. In fact the dust bowl victory wasn’t due to any stellar batting. It was because the pitch was unusually responsive. The last WI win with a good batting performance, da Silva played the leading role with the bat. Josh already has three hundreds this season, if he scores one or two more, then he should be an automatic pick for any WI side, no matter how much you love brathwaite

In reply to TanteMerle

I totally agree with your starting test 11.

In reply to Jumpstart

I picked Chase for A team not the test squad.

I believe that he deserve an A team spot.

Notice I picked Hope in the test 11; however, this is subject to change depending on his last 2 games.
Will he play?
Does he want to play?
Pooran would be an automatic pick for me if he turned out for Trini,
That is unlikely as the IPL is around de corner.

In reply to Conorboy

I do not have an issue with Anderson Philips,
But who will he displace from the squad.

Joseph
Joseph
Seales
Cucaracha
Four main quicks, so who will he displace?

Holder
Greaves
He certainly cannot push out allrounders, as his batting is not there.

I will like to see Anderson take wickets in non-pacer friendly pitches.

the game against Bim does not count for me.
I will acknowledge that he is bowling very good this season.

In reply to TanteMerle

With all due respect, Hope has no place in the test team above Silva. Athanaze cannot dine off that 50 in Pakistan because he has shown that he plays one decent innings per series and that is not enough for a test batsman. He has not even made a 50 in the regional series so far. Playing Anderson straight away on the test team will be to repeat the failed experiment of Louis in 2024. Anderson makes the A team squad which should probably be led by Chase if he is interested. As for Phillip, he is clearly a better red ball bowler than Aljo. If Shamar is match fit, the four seamers are Roach, Seales, Shamar and Phillip. Aljo comes in at No. 5 for me.

In reply to PalsofMine

So your are using the failure of one player to justify the future of another? That is some high class logic beyond my comprehension.

By the way, why is the introduction of younger players in the team an experiment when they earned their pick?

I wonder if people here actually looking at Anderson Philips stats.

4 games and 10 wickets.
6 of them coming on a bowler friendly Kensington Oval,
with a bunch of inept Bimmers.

My count is that leaves 4 wickets in 3 other games.

That's not lighting up the scene as Trini's here making it out to be.

He cannot displace Alj. Joseph at this time.

How many wickets did Seales got till 5 th round....Anyone....

In reply to Onionman0

Stupid question?
One should not compare a proven player with an unproven one.

Seales is proven and the leader of the pack.
Pierere has the most wickets and took them on all surfaces.

Idiot Dasilva did not bowl him much in Bim.
So we loss the opportunity to see him on a pacer's pitch.
That said, would you drop Warrican or Mootie for Pierre?

In reply to TanteMerle

Sorry, Tante. Why do you assume that it is Trinis who are putting forward Phillip's name rather than his own performances. Says a lot about you, I think. It is good to support certain players once you face reality. Aljo has a pretty dismal record as an international red bowl bowler with one five-for for in 8 years or so and his recent performance followed up on a century in the match before I believe. But if you think that he deserves to be a sure pick on a WI test side, you do you.

In reply to PalsofMine

I said earlier that Philips had 6 of his 10 wickets in 1 game
That was the bowler's surface versus Bim, who were lackluster.
I watch a few of his bowling spells and I like him.

I just do not rate him above the other 4, at this time.
I called for Aljo's drop and it came to my surprise. (not taking credit, as I am not a selector).

I like the way the Philip is bowling and that he is pressing.
Maybe Cucuracha may take up the mentor position by the time Ozzies come (Who knows)
I am in support of Philip being ahead of Layne, Blades, (Useless Louis), Nail Smith,
and all of the others that people here are touting.

I will stick to my point that he should not displace Joseph.
If Joseph fails to impress in the next series, I think it's time to say bye bye to him.
Why, cause he has a decade to improve.

Who are the non-Trinis pushing for him?

In reply to TanteMerle

Lancashire

Sometimes I wonder how many of you paid to play the game as young adults and continue investing in recreational sports to learn about development.
I saw this downturn happening after the 1976 and 1980 Olympics, as for the BCA which I was a member of, you cannot devalue a product and get results.

In reply to TanteMerle

How a proven player Silva....tour Pakistan... returns....scores two centuries....gets dropped....He can surely play as batter....

First leg of matches...were played with Kookaburra balls... doesn't swing....several pacers failed to get their act together...

As for balling attack.... against Australia...it all depends on pitches....but for batters...few changes not major.. with Louis,Braithwaite,Athanaze,Hodge,Jangoo...in squad... with Silva playing as batter...Holder in for Greaves...