West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd could potentially stake a claim and fulfill his dream of playing Test cricket.
The 25-year-old was selected as a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo for the three T20Is against hosts, New Zealand next month.
But fortunately for the tall, well-built paceman, West Indies `A’ is poised to play two First-Class Four-Day matches simultaneously alongside the two Tests and, according, to chief selector, Roger Harper, those matches could serve as an audition for potential players.
Harper also noted that the `A’ team will comprise a few players from the limited overs squad along with the Test reserves.
“Yes I am excited,” Shepherd told Stabroek Sport when asked about the possibility of playing for West Indies `A’ in the two Four-Day matches.
“I have always wanted to play Test cricket so any opportunity for me to move on to the longer version of the game I will take it with open arms so if I am given the opportunity I would be thankful and go out there and show that I can perform in Four-Day cricket,” Shepherd said. Shepherd has been working closely with West Indies assistant coach, Rayon Griffith recently. The Berbician related that the training has been intense but satisfying especially after a lengthy period off the field.
While the right-hander has featured in five 50-over matches and two T20Is for West Indies, Shepherd has been instrumental in the Guyana Jaguars’ success in the Regional Four-Day tournament since his debut in 2017.
In his 23 First-Class matches, Shepherd has racked up 72 wickets, averaging 23.72 while with bat in hand he has chalked up three half centuries.
In the prematurely ended 2019-2020 First-Class season, Shepherd played just one match and picked up two wickets. However, in the previous season the pacer picked up 37 wickets, the most by any seamer.
