Big blow for West Indies! frontline pacers ruled out of NZ Tests; Kemar Roach recalled

Kemar Roach earns recall in NZ Test series [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Ahead of the three-match Test series against New Zealand starting from December 2, West Indies have suffered a heavy blow with two key pacers, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, being ruled out of the series. 

The Windies cricket decided to replace the two pacers with experienced seamer Kemar Roach and all-rounder Kevam Hodge in the squad. Roach notably earns a recall in the Test squad after last playing against Pakistan in January 2025, where he managed 29 runs and two wickets. 

West Indies go with 6 pace, 2 spin options

This absence of two key pace attacks from the West Indies squad on a bouncy New Zealand pitch led the West Indies to decide on a pace-heavy attack, where they feature 29-year-old Ojay Shields with his maiden Test call-up.

The pace lineup features Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach and Anderson Phillip amongst others, with only two spin options being Kevam Hodge and Jomel Warrican.

"New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side… The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces," Cricket West Indies' Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said.

Coming off after five straight losses in the new World Test Championship cycle, West Indies will be aiming to get a fresh start in the New Zealand campaign. 

Meanwhile, the hosts will begin a fresh cycle with the upcoming series at Christchurch, as the next matches of the series are scheduled for Wellington and Mount Maunganui.

West Indies updated squad for New Zealand Tests 

Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice- Captain), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields

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