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Jason Holder rested for Bangladesh series
West Indies have included three uncapped players in their squad for the two-match Test series at home
West Indies have named three uncapped players - Devon Thomas, Gudakesh Motie and Anderson Phillip - in their 12-man squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, starting June 16. However, wicketkeeper-batter Thomas, left-arm spinner Moties and paceman Phillip have already played white-ball cricket for West Indies.
West Indies will be without Jason Holder as he had requested for a break. Meanwhile, Kemar Roach sustained an injury while playing in County Championship in England but will be added to the squad if he clears the fitness Test.
"Allrounder Jason Holder is unavailable for selection as CWI has granted his request for a period of rest and recovery. He will therefore miss Bangladesh's all-format tour of the West Indies," said a statement from Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Shamarh Brooks and Veerasammy Permaul, who were part of the squad that defeated England earlier this year, have been left out for the Bangladesh series. Talking about the selection, lead selector Desmond Haynes said: "Devon Thomas has been knocking on the door for quite some time. He has done extremely well in our franchise cricket system and we view this as a good opportunity to give him a go.
"You would notice that Raymon Reifer is also in the squad. He is another person that has done impressively well in the four-day competition and against England (earlier this year). So again, we are giving opportunities to guys who are performing. We think Gudakesh Motie is one of those guys who is also bowling well, and we think it will be a good opportunity for him to be involved."
West Indies are currently placed sixth in the World Test Championship, while Bangladesh have won only one of their last eight Tests and are at the bottom of the points table. "We are looking to pick up World Test Championship points against Bangladesh which will be very important. It would be good for us to use our home advantage to win both Test matches and collect those points," said Haynes.
West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillp, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas.
Reserves: Tagernarine Chanderpaul, Shermon Lewis.