Gray unhappy with Hope omission, Chanderpaul pick

Former fast bowler is not happy that in-form batter Shai Hope is not in the West Indies Test squad for the two-match Test series in Bangladesh, starting later this month. Instead, Barbadian middle-order batter Kevin Wickham is in line to make his Test debut after being named in the 15-member squad. Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio show on Tuesday, Gray

“Test match cricket, we have to try to improve in the standings.. Shai is in terrific form at the moment and he needs to keep that momentum and I’m disappointed that he’s not on this team,” Gray said. He acknowledged that adequate rest was necessary but feared that the rest could result in a loss of momentum for the WI white-ball captain.

Gray was also critical about the selection of Tagnarine Chanderpaul, who said is a “big question mark” because of his lack of runs at Test level.“ I don’t think that he is improving, and when he has to bat outside of his comfort zone, which is to attack the bowling, he gets himself out. I would not have him there, I would look for somebody else.” The first Test is scheduled for October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, while the second match is slated to begin on November 5 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.