Photo Caption: West Indies Opener Kieran Powell and Leeward Islands Player, Jeremiah Louis
By: T. Chapman
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Earlier today the Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the WINDIES “A” Team squad for three-match “Test” Series against England Lions in the Caribbean. Nevisian and Kittitian players, Kieran Powell and Jeremiah Louis are included in the squad.
According to the release, the four-day matches will run from February 11 to March 1 and will feature a “Test” using the pink ball. This will be the final match under lights at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua. Play will start at 2pm (1pm Jamaica Time).
The other matches will be played at the Trelawney Multiplex and Sabina Park in Jamaica. In these matches the first ball is to be bowled at 10am (11 am Eastern Caribbean Time).
Nevisian left-handed opener, Kieran Powell will lead the West Indies “A” with Shamarh Brooks assisting.
Following the “Tests” Windies “A” will face England Lions in three 50-over matches at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. The squad for these matches will be named at a later date.
FULL SQUAD
Kieran Powell (captain), Shamarh Brooks (vice captain), Jermaine Blackwood
John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Miguel Cummins
Shane Dowrich, Jahmar Hamilton, Keon Joseph
Jeremiah Louis, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh
Chairman Courtney Browne commenting on the squad stated, “With a strong England Lions team touring the Caribbean, the selection panel felt that it was a good opportunity to strengthen the A team with some of our Test players who will not have the opportunity to play any first-class cricket ahead of the Sri Lanka series. This series also provides some of the incumbent Test players the opportunity to restate a claim for a position in the Test match squad for the what will be two important home series (vs Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in June and July).”
Additionally he stated, “The team also includes several players who have been part of the ‘A’ Team programme before and we believe their focus should be on performances that will elevate them to the senior team. We originally included Shermon Lewis, an exciting young fast bowler, but he had to withdraw due to injury. His replacement is Jeremiah Louis, a talented swing bowler, who did really well during the PCL four-day season. He is also a capable batsman and will fit well into this set-up. The panel wishes the team and its management every success on their journey.”
MATCH SCHEDULE
1st “Test” – Trelawny Multiplex, Jamaica
Sunday, February 11 to Wednesday, February 14
2nd “Test” – Sabina Park, Jamaica
Sunday, February 18 to Wednesday, February 21
3rd “Test” – Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Monday, February 26 to Thursday, March 1
