Double blow

West Indies have suffered a double blow ahead of the all-important second Test starting on Friday (Thursday, Eastern Caribbean time) in New Zealand, with both seamer Kemar Roach and Shane Dowrich set to return home.

In a statement on Monday, Cricket West Indies confirmed that both Roach and Dowrich would not be available for the contest at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, as they would be taking no further part in the tour.

Roach’s father passed away just prior to the opening Test in Hamilton last week and though he pushed ahead with playing, there was always doubt over his availability for the final match of the series.

Dowrich, meanwhile, was an injury doubt for the Wellington Test but CWI said he was leaving the tour for “personal reasons”.

“The Cricket West Indies selection panel has advised that fast bowler Kemar Roach and wicket-keeper/batsman Shane Dowrich are unavailable for the second and final Test match against New Zealand,” the CWI statement said.

“Both players will return home – Roach due to the death of his father and Dowrich for personal reasons.”

Roach’s absence will be a setback for West Indies. The 32-year-old is the most experienced bowler and the spearhead of the attack, and has taken 204 wickets to be eighth on the all-time West Indies list.

In fact, he went past the legendary Sir Andy Roberts on 202 when he snapped up three wickets in the first Test at Seddon Park.

His absence, however, has opened the door for another Barbadian pacer, Chemar Holder, to finally make his international debut after touring England last summer but failing to break into the XI.

Dowrich, meanwhile, is the side’s first choice gloveman, having played 35 Tests since his debut five years ago against touring Australia.

He sustained a finger injury on the opening day of the Hamilton Test which forced him out of the remainder of the game, leaving Shamarh Brooks to deputise on day two.

Dowrich’s absence also left West Indies short a player when they batted as the Caribbean side were bowled out for 138 and then 247, to lose by an innings and 134 runs in the first session on day four.

Trinidadian Joshua Da Silva, one of the tour reserves who played for West Indies A against New Zealand A in Mount Maunganui last weekend, has replaced Dowrich in the squad and is now poised to make his Test debut.

An impressive right-hander and tidy gloveman, Dowrich toured England last July for the three-Test series again as a reserve and ironically featured in the third Test at Manchester as an injury substitute for Dowrich.

Da Silva has made one first-class hundred in 17 but impressed when making 133 not out and 56 not out in an intra-squad warm-up match on the England tour.

West Indies also have other injury concerns ahead of the Wellington Test with both Shimron Hetmyer and fellow Guyanese Keemo Paul both in doubt.

CWI said both were being monitored and it was too early to speak to their availability for the contest.

“Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer is still under concussion protocols following the blow to his head sustained in the second T20 International, while all-rounder Keemo Paul is still being treated for a groin injury,” CWI said.

“They are both being closely monitored by the team’s medical staff and decisions on their availability will be made at a later date.”

Neither played in the opening Test.

West Indies will be seeking to level the series and recoup some pride after their chastening defeat last weekend which extended their luckless run of having won only a single Test in 25 years on New Zealand soil. (BT)