ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Left-hander Leon Johnson has been named to lead a 12-man WICB President’s XI squad against touring India, in a two-day tour match starting Saturday at Warner Park.
The 28-year-old Guyanese is widely expected to feature for West Indies in the upcoming four-Test series against the Indians, and will be hoping to strengthen his case to selectors in the weekend encounter.
Johnson averages nearly 40 from four Tests but has been overlooked repeatedly over the last year-and-a-half despite West Indies’ batting struggles.
He pushed his way back into contention in the recent first class season when he led Guyana Jaguars to their second consecutive title while plundering 807 runs at an average of 57.
Johnson will lead a President XI’s side which includes Jermaine Blackwood, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Jomel Warrican, all of whom have all already represented West Indies in Tests.
While Jamaican Blackwood has played 15 Tests, averages 33 and already scored a hundred, Hope, Dowrich and Warrican are all still on the fringe and will be hoping to also impress selectors.
Also included in the squad is Guyana left-hander Vishaul Singh and Barbadian Roston Chase, both of whom scored heavily during the recent first class season.
Vishaul amassed 712 runs at an average of 50 while the right-handed Chase managed 710 runs at an average of 59.
SQUAD:
WICB PRESIDENT’S XI – Leon Johnson (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Jason Dawes, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Damion Jacobs, Keon Joseph, Marquino Mindley, Vishaul Singh, Jomel Warrican.