West Indies Pace Bowler Alzarri Joseph and Captain Shai Hope Sit Out Bangladesh Test Series

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been withdrawn and white-ball captain Shai Hope has been rested from the West Indies Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in Bangladesh later this month. Meanwhile, 23‑year‑old top‑order batter Kevin Wickham has earned his maiden Test call‑up to the 15‑man roster.

A Cricket West Indies (CWI) statement explained that Joseph was removed from the squad “following a routine medical assessment and specialist consultation.” The board said it decided to “manage his workload, seeking to avert the risk of injury associated with the increased physical demands of red‑ball cricket,” with Joseph’s agreement.

CWI confirmed that Joseph remains available for shorter formats, although the West Indies have no white‑ball fixtures scheduled for the next month after the ongoing India tour.

“While he is not ruled out from shorter formats, the medical team has stated that the demands of two consecutive Test matches in Bangladesh, which require fast bowlers to sustain repeated high‑intensity spells over extended periods, present a significantly greater workload and injury risk than the shorter white‑ball formats,” CWI added. “Joseph will continue working with the CWI medical team and specialists in preparation for a full return to the longer format.”

All‑rounder Keemo Paul has been named Joseph’s replacement for the Tests.

Hope was rested “after an extended run across all three formats,” CWI said. The board is managing his “workload and wellness” in the lead‑up to the ODI World Cup qualifiers in February 2027.

The two‑Test series will be the West Indies’ final assignment in the ongoing 2025‑27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. They currently sit eighth on the points table.

“At the start of this World Test Championship cycle we set ourselves goals, and one of them was to finish in the top half of the rankings,” head coach Daren Sammy said. “Winning this series would move us closer to it. Playing Bangladesh in their own conditions will be challenging, and we’re ready for that.”

The first Bangladesh vs West Indies Test starts on October 28 in Dhaka and the second from November 5 in Sylhet.

West Indies squad for Bangladesh Tests

Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo (wk), Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Wickham

Source link