BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Teenager Kraigg Brathwaite is poised to make his Test debut after being included in the West Indies 13-man squad for the second Test at the expense of failing opener Devon Smith.
The obdurate 18-year-old right-hander, who has scored prolifically in his short career, is the only change to the squad from the Guyana Test which the Windies won by 40 runs inside four days last Sunday.
West Indies face Pakistan in the second and final match of the series at Warner Park starting today.
Captain Darren Sammy said Brathwaite would be an asset to the squad as he possessed tremendous powers of concentration and a penchant for big scores.
“He has over 40-something hundreds (at all levels) in his short career, and it shows me the mental toughness he comes with,” Sammy said.
“That’s what we are asking for, guys to be mentally strong and able to go out there and bat for long periods, and he has those attributes in him.
“(He is) a very positive young man … I think he has fitted in very nicely in the setup and I know when he gets his opportunity he is going to grab it with both hands.”
Brathwaite has been rewarded for his heavy scoring at all levels, and his call-up comes on the heels of a magnificent unbeaten 168 for Young West Indies against Australia Under-19s in Dubai last month.
He also led Barbados’ batting in the just concluded Regional First Class Championship with 473 runs at an average of 43.
Sammy offered no hint, however, about the final XI but told reporters that he was sure selectors would choose the best XI for the match.
“I think the selectors will come up with the best possible lineup to go out there and compete for West Indies,” the all-rounder said.
The left-handed Smith, meanwhile, has paid for his double failure in the last Test and a string of low scores in the one-day series.
More noteworthy, he has been dismissed by off-spinner Mohammed Hafeez – either bowled or lbw – on all five occasions he has batted.
Squad – Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice-captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons.