IND vs WI | West Indies’ pace attack laid low as Alzarri Joseph ruled out of two-match series

‌The West Indies pace bowling attack suffered yet another blow as Alzarri Joseph was ruled out of the two-Test series against India with a lower-back injury. The pacer will now be replaced by young left-arm pacer Jediah Blades, who is yet to play a Test match for the Windies. The selectors named the rookie pacer after former captain Jason Holder opted himself out of selection, citing a planned medical procedure.

Alzarri follows Shamar Joseph, who was injured and replaced by uncapped Johann Layne for the tour to the sub-continent last week. With 124 wickets from 40 Test matches, Alzarri was designated to act as the leader of the Windies pace attack for the India series.

But now the visitors’ pace attack will be led by Jayden Seales, who picked up 13 wickets from three Tests in the recently concluded home series against Australia. All-rounder Justin Greaves and Anderson Phillip round off the five-man pace attack, with Seales being the only bowler among them to have played more than 10 Tests.

The spin department will be led by captain and off-spinner Roston Chase, along with the left-arm spin duo of Jomel Warrican and Khary Pierre.

The first Test between India and the West Indies is scheduled to start at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2, with the second game to be played in Delhi from October 10.

Updated West Indies squad for India Test series

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales