Barbados Pride right-arm seamer Akeem Jordan and Windward Islands Volcanoes left-handed batter Alick Athanaze were named in the 15-member West Indies squad for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa.
West Indies Test Squad For South Africa Tour 2023
During the West Indies tour of South Africa, both teams will play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is between February 28 to March 28 across 4 different venues.
The 2-Test match series will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. West Indies are currently placed sixth in the ICC WTC 2021-23 points table while South Africa are placed fourth. A series win can help the West Indies move above the Proteas in the standings.
The series will kick start with a Test match at SuperSport Park, Centurion while the ODI series will begin at Buffalo Park, East London. The T20I series will begin on March 25 at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
The series will be played parallel to the first edition of the Women’s Premier League which is scheduled to kick start on March 4.
Lead selector Desmond Haynes praised the two future prospects. “Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in, and he played well in the ‘A Team’ and CWI President’s XI,” Haynes said on Athanaze.
“He showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership, as captain of the Windwards at the start of this season.
“Jordan has been very impressive from last year, he has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year,” Haynes added while discussing Jordan.
“He is very skillful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket. This will be a challenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches.”
Ahead of the tour, Cricket West Indies named Rovman Powell as T20I Captain and Shai Hope as the ODI captain.
Test Squad
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas
