Test stars named for England

Left-handed opener Kieran Powell is among five current Test players named in a strong 13-man West Indies A squad to face England Lions in the three-match four-day “Test” series starting next week Sunday.

Powell will captain team

The 27-year-old Powell, who has played 31 Tests, will skipper a side that includes batsman Jermaine Blackwood, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, all-rounder Raymon Reifer and fast bowler Miguel Cummins.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who played the last of his four Tests two years ago, has also been named in the unit for the February 11 to March 1 series, which also includes three one-day games.

Good preparation for Sri Lanka Test series

Chief selector Courtney Browne said with the Sri Lanka Test series already on the radar, it was important to afford several players the opportunity to prepare themselves for the upcoming assignment as well as enhance their chances of selection.

“With a strong England Lions team touring the Caribbean, the selection panel felt that it was a good opportunity to strengthen the A team with some of our Test players who will not have the opportunity to play any first-class cricket ahead of the Sri Lanka series,” Browne said.

“This series also provides some of the incumbent Test players the opportunity to restate a claim for a position in the Test match squad for the what will be two important home series (vs Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in June and July).”

Powell, despite his experience, only returned to international cricket last year following a three-year self-imposed break, and has yet to really impress with a mere two half-centuries in 19 Test innings.