The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel has named two newcomers, Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan, in the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test Series against South Africa.
Athanaze, the left-handed batter is the captain of Windward Islands Volcanoes, while Jordan, the right-arm seam bowler, plays for Barbados Pride.
Both have demonstrated good form in the first two rounds of the current four-day West Indies Championship. Athanaze had scores of 41 and 51 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in Round One and followed up with a career-best 141 against Guyana Harpy Eagles in Round Two.
He is a product of the West Indies Under-19s Rising Stars where he was one of the stand-out players at the 2018 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Haynes added: “Jordan has been very impressive from last year, he has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year. He is very skillful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket. This will be a challenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches.”
West indies cricket is lacking fast bowlers from Jamaica, if west indies cricket will return to world dominance.Jamaica cricket culture is one dominated by speed over the years. West indies cannot resort to that many medium pacers and spin bowling from Jamaica, speed must be the order.
Holder does need to step up. I just did some stats on Jason Holder looking at his last 13 tests dating back to the 10th of June 2021 where the test series against South Africa began in Gros Islet.
Over these last 13 tests Holder has only taken 25 wickets. This is less than even 2 wickets per test match. Holder has been an amazing servant of West Indies cricket and in my book the most important member of the test side. But these stats look troubling and he needs to step up. I cant allow my love for him to blind me to the fact that he needs to be better.
I took the opportunity to look at his batting stats over the last 13 tests. The stats dont look good. Over this time Holder has one half century being 58 and has amassed 374 runs over 23 innings with one not out. His average with the bat then is 17.00. He has 5 noughts and outside of that he has 5 scores 4 or less. It means then that of the 23 innings he has 10 innings of 0 to 4. Holder has to step up.
