Alzarri Joseph is sidelined due to a lower-back injury.
Alzarri Joseph has been officially withdrawn from the West Indies` two-match Test series against India, which is scheduled to begin this week. The fast bowler is suffering from a lower-back injury. Joseph reported experiencing discomfort, and subsequent medical scans confirmed a “degeneration of the previously resolved lower-back injury.”
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Monday that Jason Holder, currently with the T20I squad in the UAE for a series against Nepal, declined the offer to replace Joseph. Holder cited a pre-scheduled medical procedure as his reason for unavailability.
Consequently, the West Indies selection committee has called up left-arm fast bowler Jediah Blades to step in as Joseph`s replacement. The 23-year-old Blades is also in the UAE and will join the Test squad after the conclusion of the third T20I match on Tuesday.
Blades is yet to make his Test debut but has represented the West Indies in three One-Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals. In his 13 first-class matches, he has demonstrated his skill by taking 35 wickets at an average of 35.91.
Joseph`s absence severely impacts the West Indies` pace attack, which has already been hit by injuries. This follows another recent setback, with Shamar Joseph also ruled out last week due to an injury and replaced by uncapped seam-bowling allrounder Johann Layne. Among their current fast-bowling options, Jayden Seales is the only player with experience exceeding ten Test matches. The spin bowling department includes Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, and team captain Roston Chase.
The first Test match against India is scheduled to commence on October 1 in Ahmedabad, marking a significant challenge for the West Indies squad.
Updated West Indies squad for India Test series
The revised West Indies squad for the upcoming Test series against India features the following players:
- Roston Chase (captain)
- Jomel Warrican (vice-captain)
- Kevlon Anderson
- Alick Athanaze
- John Campbell
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Justin Greaves
- Shai Hope
- Tevin Imlach
- Johann Layne
- Jediah Blades
- Brandon King
- Anderson Phillip
- Khary Pierre
- Jayden Seales
