Former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Jeffrey Dujon has expressed his dismay on the inexperienced squad chosen for the West Indies’ upcoming tour of Australia, the place they may play a two-Take a look at collection towards the present world champions.
Dujon’s criticism highlights issues in regards to the group’s readiness and the challenges they could face.
Among the many 15-member squad, solely 5 gamers return to Australia for the second males’s Take a look at tour in beneath a 12 months. These embrace Take a look at captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Kemar Roach, vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, Joshua Da Silva, and opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who impressed throughout his debut collection final 12 months.
Notable absentees
Notable absentees from the squad are all-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who’ve chosen to take part in franchise Twenty20 leagues as an alternative, and younger quick bowler Jayden Seales, sidelined resulting from a shoulder damage.
The West Indies’ squad contains seven uncapped Take a look at gamers, together with opener Zachary McCaskie, wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach, all-rounders Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, and Kevin Sinclair, and pacers Akeem Jordan and Shamar Joseph.
Dujon expressed issues over the squad’s potential to compete towards the skilled and highly effective Australian group, emphasizing that Australia doesn’t face an identical state of affairs with their participant availability. He likened the state of affairs to “sending lambs to the slaughter” and prompt that sending an inexperienced group towards such formidable opposition may not yield vital advantages.
Weakening of Take a look at cricket
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh additionally criticized the weakening of Take a look at cricket as a result of absence of prime gamers from groups just like the West Indies. He urged the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene to protect the format, because the attract of T20 leagues and a year-round cricket calendar threatens its existence.
Dujon concurred with Waugh’s view, emphasizing that cricket can’t enhance except one of the best gamers are constantly concerned. He highlighted the problem confronted by cricket boards in controlling participant availability and the gamers’ potential to dictate when and the place they play.
West Indies’ final Take a look at collection victory in Australia was in 1992/93 after they received 2-1. The upcoming collection contains two Assessments, beginning on January 17 in Adelaide and January 25 at The Gabba in Brisbane, forming a part of the 2023-25 spherical of the World Take a look at Championship.
