Alzarri ‘rested’ for South Africa series, WI suffer English whitewash
ALZARRI JOSEPH has been ‘rested’ for the two-Test series against South Africa, which will run from August 7 until 19.
Joseph was named as the West Indies team’s vice-captain for their recent tour of England, but was a disappointment, both with ball and bat.
The fast bowler leaked runs in every innings he bowled; he finished with 10 wickets, but conceded 454 runs off 74.1 overs, at an average of 45.4 and an economy rate of 6.12.
Kirk McKenzie was another major let-down in England, as he compiled JUST 33 runs from six innings at an average of 5.50 – the lowest average for a West Indies batsman in a series comprising at least three Tests.
Kemar Roach, who pulled out of the England tour due to injury, has been recalled to the WI 15-man team to face South Africa, as well as experienced left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who took 35 wickets in the 2024 Regional Four-Day Championships, seven wickets less than the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, another left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop.
Warrican is a replacement for pacer Jeremiah Louis, who picked up an injury while fielding as a substitute during the second Test at Nottingham.
Keacy Carty gets his first Test call-up, and will challenge wicketkeeper/batsman Tevin Imlach for the number-three spot in the batting order. Bryan Charles is another newcomer to the team, replacing fellow off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, who was injured during the tour of England.
All-rounder Justin Greaves has been recalled after missing the England tour, with uncapped opening batsman Zachary McCaskie dropped.
Team – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua DaSilva (vice-captain), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Bryan Charles, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.
ENGLAND COMPLETE 3-0 TEST SERIES SWEEP OVER WI
England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies with, yet again, a convincing triumph – by 10 wickets in the final Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham on July 28.
The West Indies were bowled out for 282 on the first day, with decent contributions from captain Kraigg Brathwaite (61 off 86 balls with eight fours), Jason Holder (59 off 112 balls with six fours and a six) and Joshua Da Silva (49 off 99 balls with three fours).
Pace did the trick for England, with Gus Atkinson claiming 4/67, Chris Woakes 3/69 and Mark Wood 2/52.
The hosts, who closed the first day on 38/3, were dismissed on Day Two for 376. At one stage, England were 54/5, but they got vital contributions from Jamie Smith (95 off 109 balls with 12 fours and a six), Joe Root (87 off 124 balls with seven fours), Woakes (62 off 78 balls with seven fours) and skipper Ben Stokes (54 off 69 balls with five fours and a six).
Alzarri Joseph returned figures of 4/122 – off only 17.4 overs, while Jayden Seales took 3/79 and Shamar Joseph 2/65.
The West Indies ended the second day in a tough spot at 33/2 and, after a brief resistance, lost their last seven wickets for 50 runs as they crumbled to 175. Mikyle Louis made 57 (95 balls, four fours and two sixes) and Kavem Hodge notched 55 (76 balls, seven fours).
Wood dismantled the WI’s bottom half as he snapped up 5/40, while Atkinson took 2/28.
Set a victory target of 82, England sped to 87 without loss in ONLY 7.2 overs, with Stokes on 57 (28 balls, nine fours and two sixes) and Ben Duckett on 25 (16 balls, four fours).
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