West Indies have been dealt a blow ahead of their two-Test series against India next month, with fast-bowling spearhead Shamar Joseph sidelined due to injury. The 24-year-old, who has quickly become the leader of the Caribbean pace unit alongisde Jaydon Seales, will miss the tour and has been replaced by uncapped allrounder Johann Layne.
Blow to West Indies
The nature of Joseph’s injury hasn’t been disclosed by Cricket West Indies (CWI), but the board confirmed he would be reassessed before the white-ball tour of Bangladesh that begins immediately after the India Tests. West Indies are set for a hectic schedule after the India series wraps up on October 14, they play three ODIs in Bangladesh starting October 18, followed by a three-match T20I series until November 1. From there, the squad will travel to New Zealand for a full tour across formats.
Joseph’s absence is significant given the impact he has made in just 11 Tests, collecting 51 wickets at an average of 21.66. He famously burst onto the scene with a five-wicket haul on debut against Australia in early 2024 and has since been the team’s most consistent wicket-taker in red-ball cricket.
In his place comes 22-year-old Johann Layne, who has impressed in domestic cricket and West Indies A outings. A right-arm pacer capable of handy lower-order runs, Layne has 66 wickets in 19 first-class matches at 22.28, including four five-wicket hauls. His standout campaign came in the most recent domestic season for West Indies Academy, where he claimed 27 wickets in six matches at a miserly average of 15.88. That run included a brilliant six-wicket haul against Windward Islands.
He will now get the opportunity to slot into a pace attack that already features Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip, with Justin Greaves providing an allround option. The spin department will be led by captain Roston Chase, along with Jomel Warrican and Khary Pierre.
Updated West Indies Squad vs India
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales
