The fact that several key players have pulled out of West Indies’ tour to Bangladesh, is not cause for gloom but rather presents an opportunity for a number of up-and-coming talents.
Among them are Kavem Hodge and Andre McCarthy.
Cricket West Indies’ chairman of selectors, Roger Harper, thinks so too.
Harper, during a recent interview via Zoom, said that both players have been knocking on the door for a while and their selections come on the heels of decent regional form.
For the 27-year-old Dominican all-rounder Hodge, this is his maiden call up at the Test level.
He has played 40 first-class matches and has an average of 28.63 after scoring three centuries and a dozen half centuries with a personal best of 128.
Last first-class season in the Caribbean, Hodge finished as the 10th overall run-getter with 454 runs from 13 innings with a best of 100 not out.
Harper stated, “He has been knocking on the door for quite a while and this is his opportunity, I think he had a very decent regional four-day championship last year
and earlier this year and this is his opportunity and the fact that we are going to Bangladesh.”
Harper posited that Hodge could play the role that Roston Chase has been playing as he bowls left-arm orthodox spin.
Of Mc Carthy Harper noted, “Andre McCarthy has been around for a while. He is another very experienced campaigner, has done well in regional tournaments and you would have realized he had an excellent Super50 tournament last year. But as well, if you look at the personality of Andre McCarthy, he is what I would describe as a scrapper, he is a fighter, he is competitive and I expect someone like him to be the sort of engine room of this team going to Bangladesh because he has a never-say-die attitude and those are the sort of people you need in these situations.”
At 33-years-old, McCarthy could make his One Day International debut to add to his lone T20I appearance.
The right-handed middle-order batsman averages 36.91 in List A cricket with three tons and 11 half centuries under his belt. His off-spin has also returned 28 wickets.
In 2019’s Regional Super50 competition, McCarthy ended among the top five run-scorers with 363 runs from eight innings with three half centuries.
Later this month, West Indies will travel to Bangladesh for three ODIs and two T20Is.
West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican.
West Indies ODI Squad: Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
