ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Seasoned fast bowler Kemar Roach is poised for a return to international duty after being named among nine players invited by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to a two-week High-Performance preparation camp, forming part of the build-up to the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand.
Roach, 37, joins Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Anderson Phillip, Johann Layne, Kevlon Anderson, John Campbell, Ojay Shields, and Kavem Hodge for the camp, which aims to sharpen skills and readiness ahead of the long-format showdown in December.
Roach set to reinforce bowling unit
With his inclusion, the veteran seamer appears likely to reclaim his spot in the Test squad for the series scheduled from December 2 to 22. Roach last represented the West Indies in January against Pakistan and remains one of the region’s most successful fast bowlers, having captured 284 wickets in 85 Tests — the fifth-highest tally among all West Indian pacers.
His presence will bring invaluable experience to a developing bowling attack expected to face demanding conditions in New Zealand, where control, discipline, and endurance often decide contests.
Camp to refine skills and adaptability
The camp, which runs from November 4 to 18 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, will emphasize technical precision, tactical discipline, and mental adaptability to handle New Zealand’s unique playing environment.
The program will be led by Ramesh Subasinghe, head coach of the West Indies Academy, with Rohan Nurse serving as assistant coach and overseeing tactical and technical refinement. Additional support will come from Jamal Smith, CWI’s senior talent manager, and Shane Dowrich, developing pathway coach, who will coordinate performance drills and developmental assessments.
Bascombe: ‘Focused, purposeful preparation’
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe underscored the importance of the camp as a targeted preparation platform for both emerging and established players.
“This camp is designed to give players a focused opportunity to prepare for the specific challenges of playing in New Zealand,” Bascombe explained. “For the batsmen, it’s about targeted work on areas where they’ve shown vulnerability and adapting to the conditions they’ll face. For the bowlers, it’s about managing their workloads effectively and identifying the lengths and areas that have proven successful in New Zealand.”
He added that the initiative goes beyond conditioning — it’s about building cohesion and confidence ahead of the demanding overseas series.
“It’s a practical, purposeful camp – one that allows the group to refine key aspects of their game while building cohesion and clarity ahead of the tour,” Bascombe continued. “The goal is to make the most of this preparation window so the players are ready to compete with confidence and intent.”
A strategic step toward revival
With Roach’s experience anchoring the group and several young prospects pushing for selection, the High-Performance camp signals CWI’s continued effort to bridge development and competitiveness as the West Indies seek to reassert themselves in the Test arena.
