West Indies includes two uncapped players in their Test squad for South Africa tour

Cricket West Indies have named their men’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match away series against South Africa.

Two uncapped players – Windward Islands all-rounder Alick Athanaze and Barbados pacer Akeem Jordan – have been included in the 15-member squad. Both, Athanaze and Jordan, were rewarded for their consistent run of form in First-Class cricket.

Athanaze boasts 1,154 runs at an average of 31.18 in First-Class cricket and recently scored 41 and 51 against Trinidad and Tobago in the ongoing four-day West Indies Championship. His career-best 141 came versus Guyana.

Jordan, meanwhile, has made a sensational start to his First-Class career, having taken 24 wickets in five games at an impressive average of 17.62.

“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,” said the Windies lead selector Desmond Haynes on Jordan’s inclusion in the Test set-up.

West Indies will be touring South Africa after a recent 1-0 series win over the hosts Zimbabwe. In the first Test of the two-match series, the Chevrons fought back brilliantly to save the game as it ended in a draw. But, in the second Test, the Men in Maroon dominated the Chevrons as the home team was bundled out cheaply in both the innings. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie picked up 13 wickets in the game and created the record feat of best-ever Test match performance by a West Indies spinner.

Currently placed sixth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, the Caribbean team is out of the race to qualify for the final.

South Africa, however, are still mathematically in the race and need a series sweep (2-0) to keep their outside chances alive.

West Indies’ Test squad for South Africa tour:

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), 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.