THERE is no space for Guyanese players Tevin Imlach and Gudakesh Motie in the test side to face Sri Lanka.
However, wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva and veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach are two of the more notable inclusions the 15-member squad for the two-match Test series.
The two teams will clash next Thursday in the opener at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, with skipper Roston Chase still looking for his first victory having lost seven matches and drawn one since his appointment in May 2025.
One of the biggest talking points will be that of Da Silva, who has been recalled in place of Tevin Imlach following a stellar performance in this year’s Regional 4-Day Championships where he captained Trinidad and Tobago to their first title in 20 years.
The 27-year-old, who last featured for the West Indies in December 2024, was the top run scorer and also had the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper.
Da Silva has played in 33 Tests and scored 1238 runs at an average of 24.76. He has also scored five half centuries and one century.
Meanwhile, Roach, who will turn 38 in exactly two weeks, was the Windies’ best bowler during their last Test series in New Zealand in December.
However, his inclusion was unexpected, especially considering the return of fast bowlers Alzarri and Shamar Joseph, who both missed the tour of New Zealand due to injury.
He was also doubtful for the Test series after being forced to withdraw from the County Championships in England back in May after suffering a hamstring injury.
It means Roach joins a five-pronged pace attack that includes both Josephs, Seales and Anderson Phillip – who captured the most wickets by a pacer in this year’s Regional 4-Day Championship.
Amir Jangoo, who played a solitary Test match in January last year, has also been named in the squad on the back of a strong performance in the Regional Championship where he was the second highest run scorer.
However, no room has been found for the inconsistent Alick Athanaze, along with pacers Johann Layne and Ojay Shields, who all featured in New Zealand.
Interestingly, the top wicket taker in the Regional Championship, Gudakesh Motie has been left out, with selectors opting instead to keep vice-captain Jomel Warrican, despite his modest returns in recent times.
Head coach Daren Sammy said while he expected a stern test from the Sri Lankans, he believed the squad was capable of turning their fortunes around in the format.
“Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity. Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we’ll have to be at our best, but we’re excited about the challenge ahead.
As part of the team’s preparations for the series, the squad is currently participating in a high-performance training camp in Antigua which commenced on June 12 and runs until June 22. Those players who competed in the white-ball series in Jamaica joined the camp on Monday.
The camp is focused on technical development, match-specific training, fitness conditioning and team-building activities and also provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess player readiness and fine-tune plans ahead of the series against Sri Lanka and the final home series against Pakistan.
Imlach will captain the 13-man WI Select XI in the four-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka from June 18-21 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
WEST INDIES TEST SQUAD: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.