ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A star-studded West Indies A will hope to ease some of the pain from the senior team’s World Cup travails when they take on India A in the first one-dayer of the five-match series here today.
Captain Roston Chase is one of 11 players in the 15-man squad with senior team experience and one of six who have played Tests for West Indies. The likes of wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, Rovman Powell and Raymon Reifer all make Windies A strong contenders in the series, with the likes of Sunil Ambris and international hopeful Rahkeem Cornwall, further strenghening the unit.
Head coach Esuan Crandon said the blend of youth and experience was an excellent one and hoped it would pay dividends against a strong India A side.
“This is a very important series against a very competitive opposition in India A”, Crandon said.
“We know the brand of cricket they play, with many fringe players that have played for India’s senior team or are pushing to be part of India’s senior team.
“Overall we are very optimistic about our chances. I think we have a very good blend of experience and young players in this squad.”
He added: “I’m expecting the experienced guys, especially those who were also involved in Ireland Tri-Series to lead from the front.
“Obviously we aren’t going to depend on them solely, since the other selected players we believe in their abilities as well. But by default on and off the field, those guys recent international experience will be key.”
Todday’s opener is carded for the Coolidge Cricket Ground with the second and third matches carded for the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on Sunday and next Tuesday.
Teams will return to Coolidge for the final two matches on July 19 and 21.
With the likes of fast bowlers Romario Shepherd, Akeem Jordan and left-armer Raymon Reifer in the squad, Crandon said he hoped the surfaces provided conducive to pace.
“We want to have pitches that will play to our strengths and India’s weakness. So hopefully the curators can produce wickets that gives us grass, pace and bounce,” he noted.
“We also have to own the conditions as the home team and execute on the day.”
Crandon said the series, which also includes three four-day “Tests”, was also important in preparing fringe players for senior team cricket.
“Its not solely about winning series for personal growth, but building relations as a coach with players and helping them to be best prepared as possible for when they get a chance at international level.”
SQUADS:
WEST INDIES A – Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, John Campbell, Jonathan Carter, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Akeem Jordan, Kjorn Ottley, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Raymond Reifer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Devon Thomas.
INDIA A – Manish Pandey (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Anmolpreet Singh, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Rahul Chahar, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini.
