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Rahkeem Cornwall returns for opening Test against India
Follow UsWest Indies have also picked up uncapped Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze in the squad for the Test opener
West Indies have recalled the 30-year-old all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall for the first Test against India in Dominica. The off-spinner was a major miss during the Windies’ tour against Australia, where the selectors preferred the off-spin of Roston Chase, something that didn’t quite click for them.
The Men in Maroon have also named uncapped Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze in the squad for the Test opener. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican too has returned to the fold in the absence of Gudakesh Motie, who is currently unavailable for selection, with the left-arm spinner doing his rehabilitation.
"We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent 'A' Team tour of Bangladesh," lead selector Desmond Haynes said. "These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity."
"We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job," Haynes said.
Jayden Seales, who impressed one and all with his pace during his debut stint, was considered for selection, but the pacer wasn’t quite ready for five-day cricket yet. Kyle Mayers wasn’t picked in the squad for the same reason.
"We had Jayden Seales here in the camp and he has made good progress during his rehab from surgery. However, we felt he is not yet quite ready to return, and we don't want to risk him at this stage. Kyle Mayers was also considered but he has some niggles, and the precaution is not to have him in the rigors of a five-day match at this stage.
Full squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan
