Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie were scheduled to join the West Indies squad in England before their three-day tour match against First Class Counties XI in Beckenham, starting Wednesday, July 3. However, their flights from Guyana were canceled due to Hurricane Beryl, preventing them from arriving on time.
Impact of Hurricane Beryl
The Caribbean islands have been reeling from the effects of Hurricane Beryl in the past few days. As a result, several airports have been temporarily shut down. It is understood that Gudakesh Motie landed in London late on Wednesday, while Shamar Joseph’s flight cancellation means he will arrive on Friday. This means they will be available for selection for the first Test, which starts at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 10.
Key Players for West Indies
Shamar Joseph made a significant impact in his debut series in Australia earlier this year. He is set to play a pivotal role in the West Indies lineup against the Three Lions. In two games against Pat Cummins’ men, the right-arm pacer took 13 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. Shamar Joseph’s performance in Australia will make him enjoy bowling on the helpful England surfaces. After Kemar Roach’s injury forced him to withdraw from the tour, Alzarri Joseph will lead the West Indies’ fast-bowling attack. He will be joined by youngsters Shamar and Jaydon Seales, forming a promising trio for the team.
Meanwhile, Gudakesh Motie has been impressive in whichever format he has played in recent times. In nine Tests, the left-arm spinner has accounted for 22 wickets at an average of 20.86. He could be the sole spinner in West Indies’ playing XI during the three-match Test series.
Where do West Indies and England stand in the WTC points table?
Kraigg Brathwaite and Co. are currently placed at No. 6 on the World Test Championship points table for the 2023-2025 cycle. They have one win, two losses, and one draw from four games. The Caribbean side have 33.33 percentage points.
In the England vs West Indies Test series, England currently ranks 9th with three wins, six losses, and one draw out of 10 games, accumulating 17.50 percentage points. They aim to climb higher with a strong showing against the Windies.
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