Post by : Maya Rahman

The West Indies cricket team has unveiled its 15-player lineup for the forthcoming three-Test tour of New Zealand, set to take place from December 1 to 21, 2025. A significant highlight of the selection is the reintroduction of seasoned fast bowler Kemar Roach, whose experience is deemed crucial for the pace attack, particularly with the absence of injured key bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph.

At 37, Roach last graced the Test field in January, but he remains one of the most accomplished bowlers in West Indies cricket, boasting a record of 85 Test matches and 284 wickets. His expertise will be invaluable on New Zealand’s tracks, which typically support fast bowling, making his return perfectly timed amidst the circumstances.

In addition to Roach, the squad features an exhilarating new talent, Ojay Shields. The 29-year-old fast bowler is set to make his international debut should he be selected. His performance in domestic cricket has caught the selectors’ eyes, who have high expectations for his potential to excel under challenging overseas conditions.

Commenting on the squad selection, Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at Cricket West Indies (CWI), emphasized the challenges of playing in New Zealand, known for its fast and bouncy pitches. He mentioned that a high-performance camp in Antigua was tailored to equip players for the unique conditions they will face. The training focused on acclimatizing bowlers to pace-friendly pitches and ensuring that batters are prepared for the considerable movement present in the air.

Also making a return is middle-order batter Kavem Hodge, whose form has warranted selection to fortify the batting lineup. Conversely, spin bowler Khary Pierre has been omitted, as the selectors assessed that spin would have minimal impact on New Zealand’s pitch conditions.

This Test series is part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, with the West Indies currently positioned at the bottom following their five matches, while New Zealand has yet to compete in this cycle. Both teams are keen to improve their standings early in this series.

Matches will be played in three New Zealand cities—Christchurch, Wellington, and Mount Maunganui—each presenting unique playing conditions. To break through, the West Indies will require strong contributions from both experienced and emerging players.

#Sports News