Pierre gets maiden Test call-up, Chanderpaul, Athanaze recalled for India tour

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

LEFT-ARM SPINNER Khary Pierre has been rewarded for his impressive performance in this year’s West Indies Championship by being named in a West Indies’ 15-man squad to tour India next month for a two-match Test series.

The 33-year-old Pierre has received his maiden call-up, while opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, along with Alick Athanaze, have been recalled, marking the only three changes to the West Indies team that faced Australia in a three-match Test series earlier this year.

Pierre, who replaces the rested Gudakesh Motie, has been included as the second specialist spinner in the squad after strong performances in the West Indies Championship, where he claimed a chart-topping 41 wickets at an average of 13.56.

Meanwhile, Chanderpaul has been named in place of out-of-favour opener Kraigg Brathwaite, while Athanaze replaces Keacy Carty.

Head coach Daren Sammy said he was looking forward to the challenge of facing the fourth-ranked Test team in the world.

“Playing in the subcontinent always presents a challenge, and we have selected a team to be competitive in these conditions.

“This will be our second series together as a Test team, but we have already shown what we are capable of as a unit once we are committed to our brand and plans of the team,” Sammy said.

He said both Chanderpaul and Athanaze had been included to bolster the top-order batting, which struggled in the Test series against Australia, while Pierre’s spin would be helpful on the subcontinent.

“The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order, given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling.

“Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions,” Sammy said.

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe said the team’s selection had been thoroughly calculated.

“Our approach to squad selection continues to be calculated and deliberate. We consider the opposition, the playing conditions, and the skillsets required to be successful against specific opposition.

“The inclusion of players has therefore been guided not only by their recent performances, but also by identifying who within our pool is best suited to deliver positive results on these surfaces, against this quality of opposition,” Bascombe said.

“At the same time, we are conscious of building continuity and depth in our Test squad as we look to compete consistently throughout this World Test Championship cycle.”

The team departs the Caribbean on September 22 and is set to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24.

WEST INDIES SQUAD

Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.