Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the India vs West Indies Test series with a lower back injury. The right-arm pacer was in great form, having taken 13 wickets in 3 matches against Australia in June-July. Unfortunately for the West Indies, in-form Alzarri won’t feature for them.
This is the second injury blow for the West Indies in three days. Shamar Joseph, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Australia series, was also ruled out due to an unspecified injury. Now, Jayden Seales will have to shoulder all of the responsibility as the sole experienced pacer.
West Indies make forced injury change
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named Jediah Blades as his replacement. The 23-year-old left-arm pacer, who had featured against Pakistan in ODI and T20I cricket, has been called up as cover and could make his Test debut.
“Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against India due to a lower back injury. After complaints of discomfort, scans revealed a degeneration of the previously resolved lower back injury. Meanwhile, Jediah Blades, who has been capped in One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals, has been drafted in as cover for the two tests following the ongoing series against Nepal,” CWI said in a statement.
CWI also revealed that Jason Holder, who’s currently playing a T20I series against Nepal, has declined selection for the India vs West Indies Test series. The all-rounder is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure and has decided to keep away from red-ball cricket due to it.
“Jason Holder declined selection as Joseph’s replacement for the series, citing a planned medical procedure,” the statement added.
Updated West Indies Test squad for India series
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales
