Brathwaite to lead Windies 17-man provisional squad

… Guyanese pacer Smith among players to remain in St Lucia

AHEAD of the upcoming Test battle, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel yesterday named their provisional 17-man squad, as preparations continue heading into the Betway Test Series versus the visiting South Africans. The squad is expected to be further trimmed to a final 13 by Monday, June 7.
These are the final matches in the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship with both teams trying to finish higher on the final Championship table.
Fast-bowler Chemar Holder is unavailable due to injury while 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales is a first-time inclusion in the West Indies provisional squad for a Test Series.

The selectors have also revealed that four other young fast bowlers, Keon Harding, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley and Guyanese Nial Smith will remain in St Lucia to assist the Test squad with their preparations. Following the Best vs Best practice games, both vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood and the speedster Smith during post-match interviews said the team’s spirits were high heading into this all-important game. Smith also said the experience playing among top quality red-ball cricketers was a great way to further buff his still new journey into international cricket as a West Indies player. Meanwhile, the two-match Betway Test Series will be played at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground for the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy June 10-14 and June 18-22. WI provisional squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican