Opportunities for West Indies fringe players in ‘A’ team series

THERE WILL be opportunities for fringe West Indies players to stake claims for international team selections, in both red-ball and white-ball formats, during the West Indies-South Africa ‘A’ team series.

This series will feature three 50-over matches and two four-day first-class matches – all at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, St Lucia from May 21 to June 11.

These ‘A’ team contests would, in the words of Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Chris Dehring, “provide an excellent opportunity for our players and teams to prepare for international commitments.”

There is a likelihood that the West Indies ‘A’ teams, in both formats, will lean towards fielding younger players, with an eye on the future. On the other hand, the selection panel may decide to include a few of the ‘established’ internationals, who may need match practice ahead of forthcoming home series against Australia and Pakistan.

Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, said in a recent media release, “This is a critical part of the development of our players while creating a pathway towards full international selection. This series comes at the perfect time especially with the new World Test Championship cycle only a couple months away.”

However, the ‘A’ team series will clash with the West Indies white-ball tours of England and Ireland, which could result in the unavailability (for the ‘A’ team series) of a few players – Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Brandon King and Matthew Forde.

WHO MAY GET CALL-UPS AFTER DOMESTIC CONTESTS?

The West Indies (Regional Four-Day) Championship ended earlier this month and here are some of the top performers, with both bat and ball.

One can expect, at least, a few of these players to earn red-ball selections for the ‘A’ team series.

Four-Day Championship –

Bat – Jason Mohammed (679 runs), Joshua Da Silva (583 runs), Kevlon Anderson (573), Jahmar Hamilton (573) and Shaqkere Parris (546).

Ball – Khary Pierre (41 wickets), Joshua Bishop (33), Jomel Warrican (32), Veerasammy Permaul (32) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (28).

There are also a few players who may be worthy of consideration for the white-ball ‘A’ team fixtures after useful displays at the 2024 Super50 Cup.

Bat – Jangoo (446 runs), Greaves (401), Leniko Boucher (351), Sunil Ambris (289) and Kjorn Ottley (289).

Ball – Rahkeem Cornwall (23 wickets), Marquino Mindley (20), Yannic Cariah (15), Jediah Blades (14) and Akeem Jordan (14).

SOUTH AFRICA ‘A’ TEAM NAMED

A 16-man ‘A’ team was announced by Cricket South Africa on Saturday for the month-long series in St Lucia.

Teenaged batting prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorious, who has been in impressive form at the domestic level in South Africa, is part of the touring squad, as well as the spin pair of Bjorn Fortuin and Nqaba Peter, who were both part of recent South Africa’s limited-overs teams here in the Caribbean.

Team: Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Ruan de Swardt, Schalk Engelbrecht, Bjorn Fortuin, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Luus, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen.

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