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The West Indies have named a revamped Test squad for their upcoming home series against Australia, which will also mark the start of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Roston Chase, who returns to the longest format for the first time since March 2023, has been appointed Test captain. He will lead a youthful and reshaped team in what looks to be a new era for West Indies cricket.
White-ball skipper Shai Hope has been recalled to the Test side, while his ODI deputy Brandon King has earned his maiden Test call-up.
Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach has been dropped, signaling the selectors’ intent to build a fresh core for the future.
The top order gets a boost with the return of opener John Campbell and the inclusion of 24-year-old Kevlon Anderson, who has been rewarded for his strong domestic season. Anderson finished third on the run-scorers list in the 2024/25 West Indies Championship, scoring 573 runs in 11 innings, including three centuries.
Head coach Daren Sammy expressed his excitement over the inclusion of new faces.
“I’m excited about the inclusion of young prospect Kevlon Anderson, who comes in after solid seasons in our domestic competitions to help provide stability in the top order, while the return of Shai Hope is welcomed given his consistency in white ball cricket,” Sammy said.
“Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings,” he added.
The bowling unit also sees changes, with 21-year-old Johann Layne being added to the squad after picking up 64 wickets in 18 first-class games. Anderson Phillip has also earned a spot following his five-wicket haul for West Indies A against South Africa A.
Sammy highlighted the importance of starting the new Test Championship cycle strongly.
“The start of the Test Championship Cycle is critical to building positive momentum as we strive to work our way up the rankings. Beginning with a strong showing against a team like Australia would be ideal in our quest to bring West Indies back to the helm of Test Cricket,” he said.
“It was imperative that we sought to put a squad together that was well equipped, in both the batting and bowling departments, to manage the ebbs and flows of this format of the game, while possessing the ability to apply pressure in key phases, through disciplined, purposeful play,” he concluded.
Several players from the recent Test tour to Pakistan have missed out, including Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie, and Kevin Sinclair.
The three-match Test series will begin on June 25 in Barbados.
West Indies squad for Australia Tests: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice Captain), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.
