Guyana’s left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie, has earned himself a maiden call up after being named in the West Indies Test squad to face Bangladesh in the Caribbean later this month.
Motie is the only Guyanese in a 12 man squad named by the Cricket West Indies Men’s Selection Panel yesterday.
Motie, who has represented West Indies in T20Is, had a fruitful run in the recent Cricket West Indies regional four-day championships where he ended with 17 wickets at an average of 24.7. The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club player also struck a career-best 110 to end with a batting average of 45.
According to lead selector, Desmond Haynes, “We think Gudakesh Motie is one of those guys who is also bowling well, and we think it will be a good opportunity for him to be involved.”
Like Motie, uncapped players, Devon Thomas and Anderson Phillip were also named among the 12.
“Devon Thomas has been knocking on the door for quite some time. He has done extremely well in our franchise cricket system and we view this as a good opportunity to give him,” said Haynes.
Barbados all-rounder, Raymon Reifer is also in the test squad. He represented the Barbados Pride as one of the premier players with both bat and ball and has played a solitary test match in 2017.
“Reifer is also in the squad. He is another person that has done impressively well in the four-day competition and against England, so again, we are giving opportunities to guys who are performing,” Haynes declared.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who ended the first-class season as the second leading run-scorer, behind Test captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, was named as a reserve along with Shermon Lewis.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) also revealed that Jason Holder is unavailable for selection and that Kemar Roach could be included as the 13th player if he passes a fitness assessment following an injury sustained in the English County Championship.
Notably, Rakheem Cornwall, Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul, the top three bowlers in the West Indies Championship were not named along with Kieran Powell who was among the most prolific batsmen.
Meanwhile, CWI has named a President’s XI to face Bangladesh in a warm-up match. Yannic Cariah will lead that squad which features Guyanese duo, Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach.
West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas
Reserves: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shermon Lewis.
CWI President’s XI: Yannic Cariah (capt), Colin Archibald, Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bryan Charles, Roston Chase, Tevin Imlach, Jeremiah Louis, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Jeremy Solozano, Jomel Warrican
Fixture: Bangladesh v President XI at Coolidge (June 10-12)
1st Test West Indies v Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (June 16-20)
2nd Test West Indies v Bangladesh at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (June 24-28)
