Windies call Tagenarine Chanderpaul for Australia Tests; recalls for Brooks and Chase

After a disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup, in which West Indies bowed out of the Qualifier phase without putting up a fight, Cricket West Indies Selection Panel named the Men’s Test squad for the upcoming series in Australia. The series, which is going to be the last series for Phil Simmons as the head coach of the side, will see Kraigg Brathwaite leading the side in two Test matches at the Perth Stadium (30 November to 4 December) and the Adelaide Oval (8 to 12 December).

As a new addition to the squad, the Selection Panel named Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the left-handed opening batter and son of Windies legend Shivnarine Chandrapaul, while recalling experienced players in allrounder Roston Chase and middle-order batter Shamarh Brooks.

“We have a core group of players who have been part of the Test squad and have performed well. We have played two series this year – against England and Bangladesh – and won both. We have been playing good Test cricket and expect to do well against the Australians on their home turf,” Lead Selector The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said.

“We have one newcomer to the team in Tagenarine Chanderpaul. He equipped himself very well in the West Indies Championship four-day matches and also did a very good job at the top of the order against Bangladesh A in Saint Lucia this summer. He has what it takes to do well at the highest level.” Haynes added: “Roston Chase has returned to the squad as an allrounder and we believe his experience and skill set will be beneficial and Shamarh Brooks has also returned to bolster the middle-order batting.”

Windies have decided not to leave any stones unturned for the series and hence decided to assemble in Australia 20 days before the first game begins. As part of the preparations for the two-match series, the visitors will have a three-day warm-up game against an ACT/NSW XI at the Philip Oval, Canberra from 17 to 19 November.

This will be followed by a four-day pink ball match against the Australia Prime Minister’s XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on 23 November to 26 November. The day/night match will be played under lights and will recognise the anniversary of the inaugural fixture in 1951, which was also against the West Indies. 

The Frank Worrell Trophy – named in honour of the legendary West Indies captain - will also form part of the ICC World Test Championship.