Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced Thursday that uncapped Leeward Islands Hurricanes pacer Jeremiah Louis will replace veteran pacer Kemar Roach in the West Indies Test squad for their three-match series against England next month.
Roach, who turns 36 on Sunday, is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury sustained while playing for reigning champions Surrey in the English County Championship. Louis will join his younger brother, opener Mikyle, on the trip to England.
“Kemar’s skill and experience in English conditions will be missed,” said lead selector Desmond Haynes. “This opportunity has been long in the making for Jeremiah Louis, and he certainly has the skill and experience to make an impact in England.”
Ability to swing the ball
Louis, a right-arm medium-fast bowler known for his ability to swing the ball, made his senior debut for the Hurricanes nearly a decade ago. He has appeared in 57 first-class matches, taking 151 wickets at an average of 25.43. He is also a capable lower-order batsman, with four half-centuries and 1,581 first-class runs at an average of 23.
Although Louis has twice been elevated to the West Indies ‘A’ team, he had little impact either against the England Lions six years ago or Bangladesh ‘A’ two years ago. This series presents a significant opportunity for him to prove himself at the highest level.
Roach’s absence will be a substantial loss for the West Indies. His 270 wickets at 27.74 apiece in 81 Tests place him fifth on the West Indies all-time list of Test bowlers. Roach took 18 wickets at 25.77 in six appearances for Surrey this season and was looking forward to the three Tests, especially after a match-winning spell of six for 46 against Warwickshire in May at the Oval.
Pace-bowling attack remains strong
Despite Roach’s absence, the West Indies’ pace-bowling attack remains strong, featuring world-rated all-rounder Jason Holder, vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, the resurgent Jayden Seales, who recently had a successful stint with Sussex in the County Championship, and Shamar Joseph, the hero of their historic Test win against Australia in Brisbane earlier this year.
Roach recently joked that the West Indies were planning to spoil the farewell of long-standing England pacer James Anderson, who confirmed that the first Test of the series, starting on July 10 at Lord’s, will be the last of his 21-year career.
CWI also confirmed that former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 pacer Isai Thorne will join the squad as a development player.
West Indies are set to play a warm-up match against a County Select XI from July 3 to 6 in Beckenham, before the three-Test series for the Viv Richards & Ian Botham Trophy, which they currently hold. The second Test will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from July 18, and the third Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 26.
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