Reifer in WI Test squad to face Bangladesh

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Veteran right-hander Devon Thomas has been called up to face Bangladesh in the first Test starting next week but West Indies will be without rested marquee all-rounder Jason Holder while ace new-ball seamer Kemar Roach is battling to be fit for the two-match series.

The 32-year-old Thomas, who has played 21 One-Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals, will be joined by Guyana Harpy Eagles left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and Barbados Pride fast bowling all-rounder Raymon Reifer, as the additions to the squad.

Shamarh Brooks, who struggled in the England series back in March and averaged 15, has been dropped along with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who took five wickets at an average of 50.

Thomas, meanwhile, excelled in the first class championship, leading Hurricanes’ batting by averaging 59, while scoring a hundred and four half-centuries.

His omission for the England series had raised eyebrows, especially after the right-hander hit a hundred and two fifties in four first class innings preceding the tour.

“Devon Thomas has been knocking on the door for quite some time.  He has done extremely well in our franchise cricket system and we view this as a good opportunity to give him a go,” said chief selector, the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes.

Reifer, 31, also enjoyed a rewarding first class campaign for repeat champions Pride with 345 runs at an average of 49, and nine wickets at 14 apiece.

Motie finished with 17 wickets at 24 apiece and also lashed a stunning 110 against Pride in the third round to post his maiden first class hundred.

“You would notice that Raymon Reifer is also in the squad. He is another person that has done impressively well in the four-day competition and against England [earlier this year],” said Haynes.

“So again, we are giving opportunities to guys who are performing.

“We think Gudakesh Motie is one of those guys who is also bowling well and we think it will be a good opportunity for him to be involved.”

Roach’s involvement, however, rests on a fitness assessment prior to the start of the series. If he passes, he will be added to the squad as the 13th player.

The 33-year-old pace spearhead, who lies seventh on the all-time West Indies list with 242 wickets, picked up a hamstring injury playing for Surrey in the English County Championship last April and has not featured since.

Holder, the number three-ranked all-rounder in the ICC charts, will miss his second straight tour after Cricket West Indies consented to his request for “a period of rest and recovery.”

The former Test skipper featured in the Indian Premier League for Lucknow SuperGiants but was rested for the ODI tour of the Netherlands last week and the ongoing tour of Pakistan.

West Indies take on Bangladesh in the opening Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium from June 16-20 before traveling to St Lucia for the second Test from June 24-28 at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.

“We are looking to pick up World Test Championship points against Bangladesh which will be very important,” Haynes said.

“It would be good for us to use our home advantage to win both Test matches and collect those points.”

SQUAD – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas

Reserves: Tagernarine Chanderpaul, Shermon Lewis (CMC)