Shamar Springer Named Replacement for Kraaimaan in West Indies’ Test Series Against Bangladesh

The 28-year-old Springer, who has played three ODIs and 12 T20Is but remains untested in Test cricket, was added to the West Indies squad following Kraaimaan Paul’s withdrawal due to a back injury. Springer has accumulated 1,043 first-class runs at 32.59 with 58 wickets at 27.87 in 23 matches. His recent form with Barbados in the 2026 West Indies Championship was promising with the bat, scoring 251 runs at 50.20 in four games, though his bowling yielded just seven wickets at 42.00 in eight innings.

Ojay Shields and Nial Smith were also considered as replacements, but both are unavailable due to injuries, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) statement confirmed.

The series will also see the absence of in-form white-ball captain Shai Hope, who has been rested for the Bangladesh tour, and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, withdrawn for workload management. Paul had initially replaced Joseph in the squad prior to his own injury.

Both Springer and Paul participated in West Indies’ recent white-ball tour of India, which concluded with a 2-1 ODI series loss and a 2-2 T20I series draw in Bengaluru.

The West Indies Test squad will now travel to Bangladesh, beginning with a three-day warm-up match in Dhaka from October 22–24. The first Test will be played in Mirpur from October 28 to November 1, followed by a second Test in Sylhet from November 5–9.

Updated West Indies Test Squad for Bangladesh Series

Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva (wicket-keeper), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo (wicket-keeper), Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Shamar Springer, Kevin Wickham.

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