Kemar Roach and Kavem Hodge Rejoin West Indies Squad for New Zealand Tests

Kemar Roach and Kavem Hodge have been recalled to the West Indies squad for the upcoming Tests against New Zealand. This marks a significant return for both players after their last appearances in January during a tour in Multan, Pakistan.

Kemar Roach’s Experience Boosts West Indies

Kemar Roach, who has played 85 Test matches, will strengthen a relatively inexperienced bowling lineup. His experience will be crucial as the team navigates the challenges of playing in New Zealand.

Kavem Hodge Returns to the Testing Grounds

Allrounder Kavem Hodge also returns to the squad, bringing valuable skills to the team. However, Khary Pierre has been excluded from the lineup, losing his place in favor of fresh talent.

Preparation for Challenging Conditions

Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the difficulty of playing in New Zealand. He noted that the recent high-performance camp held in Antigua aimed to mimic the pace-friendly conditions expected during the series.

• The high-performance camp lasted two weeks.
• Shields and Roach completed the camp and will join the team on November 20.
• A warm-up match against a New Zealand XI is scheduled in Christchurch.

Series Context in the World Test Championship

This upcoming series is part of the World Test Championship cycle. Currently, the West Indies sit at the bottom of the table, having lost all five matches in the cycle. In contrast, New Zealand has yet to participate in matches and will commence their campaign with this series.

West Indies Squad for New Zealand Tour

This series against New Zealand will be critical for the West Indies as they aim to improve their standing in the World Test Championship.