Two new players included in West Indies Test squad for South Africa tour

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Dubai. Left-handed batsman Alyque Athanage and right-arm pacer Akeem Jordan have been included in West Indies’ 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa. Chief selector Desmond Haynes praised both players.

Haynes said, Athanase is one of the young players that we have trusted. He has done well in ‘The A Team’ and CWI President’s XI.

“He performed brilliantly in the CG United Super 50 last year and then scored his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he deserves to be given a chance at this level. He started the season as Windwards captain. I have also shown leadership.”

Haynes said of Jordan, Jordan has been very impressive since last year. He has continued to bowl well and has bowled well in the first two matches so far this year. He has been very impressive with the ball. It will be a challenging tour for us. South Africa is a good team but I am sure we will do well in these two Tests.

Coming into the first two rounds of the four-day West Indies Championship, Athanage and Jordan have shown good form. He scored 41 and 51 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and followed it up with a career-best 141 against Guyana Harpy Eagles. Jordan had match figures of 5/86 against Guyana and followed it up with 7/113 against the Jamaica Scorpions. According to the ICC report, he is the leading wicket-taker in the West Indies Championship after two rounds of matches.

Currently, West Indies are at the sixth position in the ICC World Test Championship table, while South Africa are at the fourth position. A series win could help West Indies move above the Proteas in the table.

Two Tests will be followed by a white ball series. The team for that will be announced later.(IANS)

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