The West Indies have named their 15-member squad for their two Test matches in Australia in January 2024, which will be part of the Frank Worrell Trophy. Kraigg Brathwaite will lead them, while Alzarri Joseph has been named their new vice-captain.

Notable absences include Jayden Seales, who is nursing a shoulder injury, and Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who will “explore T20 franchise opportunities”.

A salient feature of the squad is the inclusion of seven uncapped cricketers: batter Zachary McCaskie (Barbados); wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach (Guyana); all-rounders Justin Greaves (Barbados), Kavem Hodge (Dominica, plays for Windward Islands), Kevin Sinclair (Guyana); and fast bowlers Akeem Jordan (Barbados) and Shamar Joseph (Guyana).

Between them, the 15 cricketers in the squad have played only 235 Test matches. Between them, Nathan Lyon (123) and David Warner (110) will go past that tally by the time Australia’s series against Pakistan gets over.

“The squad has been affected by the unavailability of some key players,” explained chief selector Desmond Haynes. “We have had a very strong red-ball program being run over the past year, which has unearthed significant talent throughout the region. The selected players have passed each test given to them and must now be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the test arena. Australia away is always a challenge, but we are confident in our team.”

West Indies squad and schedule for Test series in Australia

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Joshua Da Silva (wk), Tevin Imlach (wk), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Kemar Roach, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Shamar Joseph., Zachary McCaskie

January 2-9: Preparation camp
January 10-13: Warm-up match v Cricket Australia XI, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
January 17-21: First Test match, Adelaide Oval
January 25-29 (D/N): Second Test match, The Gabba, Brisbane