WI Lose Another Pacer For India Tests, 1st-Choice Replacement ‘Denies Selection’ | Cricket News

In a major blow, the West Indies have lost another fast-bowler, the experienced Alzarri Joseph, due to injury, only days ahead of the two-Test tour of India. Cricket West Indies (CWI), in a statement, said that Joseph had aggravated an old, ‘unresolved’ lower-back injury, which was revealed after fresh scans.

Left-arm pacer Jediah Blades of Barbados has been drafted in as Joseph’s replacement. West Indies also confirmed that they had approached former Test captain Jason Holder to replace Joseph, but he ‘denied selection’, citing a planned medical procedure.

“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,” the CWI statement said. “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,” it added.

“Jason Holder declined selection as Joseph’s replacement for the series, citing a planned medical procedure,” said the CWI.

Joseph is the second pacer to get ruled out for the West Indies. Earlier, Shamar Joseph was also withdrawn from the squad due to an unspecified issue. Uncapped all-rounder Johann Layne replaced him in the squad.

Although India famously presents spin-friendly tracks, which are difficult to adjust to for most visiting teams, the West Indies’ strength lies in their pace attacks. Coach Darren Sammy had said earlier he wanted to use it to counter India’s dominance and sounded confident that the variety they had could pose a challenge.

“We have found ourselves in a position where our seam attack could operate in any conditions,” Sammy said on September 19. “That six-to-eight-metre length works across the world. But in our fast-bowling department, we’ve got four different guys who have their own variety… The ability to take 20 wickets, because that’s what you will need in India. If you can’t take 20 wickets in India, you are on the back foot and we have a bowling line-up of that, especially from the seam department, that could take 20 wickets,” he added.

Revised West Indies squad: Roston Chase (C), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, and Jayden Seales.