The wait for the return of international cricket will come to an end with England out to avenge their 2019 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies in the Caribbean when the Raise the Bat series commences at the Ageas Bowl Cricket Stadium on Wednesday morning. The three-match Test series, which will be contested as part of the ICC Test Championship, will bowl off in Southampton and conclude at Old Trafford in Manchester. The Caribbean side will, however, have to make do without the services of batsmen, Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, as well as all-rounder, Keemo Paul; neither of whom made the trip due to understandable concerns surrounding COVID-19.
Yet, the West Indies have had sufficient practice, preparation and time for acclimatization, after being able to contest two intra-squad warm-up matches in the twenty-six (26) days they have been in England. At the end of which, fast-bowler, Shannon Gabriel, was deemed fit enough to be added to the original 14-man squad for the series. The, now, 15-man squad reads; Jason Holder (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich (wk), Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.
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