Perreira questions selection strategy as WI gear up for NZ Tests

Veteran cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira has questioned the West Indies’ decision to retain Jomel Warrican as vice captain for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on December 1.

The Men in Maroon enter the encounter having lost both white-ball series, the five-match T20 International and the three-match One Day International, despite several competitive performances.

Perreira believes that someone other than left-arm spinner Warrican should have been considered to support captain Roston Chase in pace-friendly conditions.

“Warrican was named as vice-captain for the Australian tour. Vice-captains are chosen from series to series,” he said. “One would have thought that they could have looked towards naming another vice-captain. There’s no automatic naming of Warrican.”

News from Cricket West Indies also noted that fast-bowling pair Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph have been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year, as they continue rehabilitation from injuries sustained earlier this year.

Perreira raised questions about what CWI is doing to aid their recovery and return them to peak form.

“The question of the Josephs certainly needed a little more explaining, other than they’re out for the rest of the year,” he said. “Where are they now? Did they go to London to visit specialists? What is the rehab programme and who is in charge? What progress are they making? Are they likely to play in the four-day competition in 2026?”

The squad selected for the tour includes the return of experienced fast bowler Kemar Roach, expected to play a key role in what will be a challenging series. In addition, 29-year-old Ojay Shields earns a maiden call-up, while Dominican Kavem Hodge makes his return to the team. Perreira offered no objections to these inclusions.

(St. Lucia Times)