Jayden Seales became the 326th player to represent West Indies Test cricket in their 93-year-old history of the red ball game. The young fast bowler was presented his baggy maroon by West Indian legend Sir Curtly Ambrose, just ahead of the start of the first Test between the hosts and South Africa at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
Seales, a U-19 star for the team from the Caribbean was fats tracked into Test cricket having played only a single First-Class game in which he took only one wicket. Supposedly very quick off the pitch, Seales is considered to be a great boost to the Windies fast bowling unit. In the four List A and six T20s, the 19-year-old has picked a combined of 12 wickets.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Seales was given a rousing cheer and applaud by his teammates after Ambrose’ welcome speech. Ambrose in his address to Seales said, “Congratulations on making it into the team. I want to remind you, you are not doing it for yourself, you are not doing it for your family and friends, but you are doing it for West Indies and its millions of supporters.” “Always give your 100% for the team. Wish you a long and prosperous career ahead.”
As far as the game is concerned, the West Indian skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, after winning the toss, decided to bat first. At the time of writing this, the men in maroon were 10 without loss after six overs.