NZ vs WI: Roach, Dowrich return home; unavailable for 2nd Test


Already down by 0-1 in the two-match Test series against hosts New Zealand, the touring West Indies team have been served another series of blows with ace paceman Kemar Roach and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich being ruled out of the second Test. 

Both the players will return to their homes in the Caribbean islands to attend to family emergencies. Kemar Roach has decided to go back after the death of his father while Dowrich has called off his tour owing to personal reasons, as per the release by Cricket West Indies.

The 22-year-old Joshua DaSilva will, in all likelihood, replace Dowrich in Wellington as a like for like replacement, being a wicketkeeper-batsman, while left-arm fast bowler Preston McSween is in the squad as a cover for Roach.

Dowrich couldn’t contribute with the bat in the last Test after suffering an injury in his hand that ruled him out of batting from both innings while Roach was impressive in the only innings where the hosts batted and returned with figures of 3-114. The double-centurion captain of New Zealand Kane Williamson spoke highly of Roach for running in all day when things were not happening for the visitors. He also got the New Zealand skipper's wicket at one point but had overstepped and Williamson sympathised with him for the frustration he had to suffer.


The troubles for the Windies do not end here as left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer is yet to recover from the concussion he suffered in the second T20I of the series that preceded the ongoing Tests.

West Indies’ squad for the second Test

Jason Holder (c), Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua DaSilva(wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Chemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul.



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