Layne to replace injured Joseph for tour of India

AHMEDABAD, India (CMC):

Fast bowler Johann Layne is in line to make his senior debut for the West Indies after being named as a replacement for Shamar Joseph for next month’s two-Test series against India.

Joseph, who recently featured for the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit that reached the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final, has been ruled out of the Test series due to injury.

In a release issued by Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday, it said Joseph will be re-evaluated following the conclusion of the series.

“Johann Layne has replaced Shamar Joseph in the squad for the test series against India.

“Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited overs series,” the release stated.

“The squad arrived in India on Wednesday morning and will stage their first training session on Saturday morning local time at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.”

The 22-year-old Layne was named in the West Indies’ 15-member squad that played three Tests against Australia, but did not feature in any of the matches.

The Barbadian will join Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves, to form the West Indies’ pace attack.

West Indies will face India in the opening Test on October 2 at Ahmedabad, with the second Test scheduled to bowl off on October 10 at Delhi.