Fast bowler Shamar Joseph is in contention to make his Test debut on home soil in Guyana when the West Indies face South Africa in the second Test at Providence, starting at 10am local time.
West Indies captain Craig Brathwaite confirmed yesterday that Joseph, known for his pace, is vying for selection after missing the drawn first Test at the Queenâs Park Oval in Port of Spain. The first Test ended with the West Indies 97 runs short of their 298-run victory target, reaching 201 for five on the final day before the match concluded.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Brathwaite acknowledged Joseph's potential inclusion but also anticipated a traditionally slow pitch at the Guyana National Stadium. He announced that a squad of 12 players was being considered, including the eleven starters from the Trinidad Test and Joseph.
âShamar Joseph will be added to that 12. Same eleven as the last time, but we have a 12th,â Brathwaite explained. "We will make a decision later, before the game."
Regardless of Joseph's selection, Brathwaite is determined to win the series. With one match remaining against South Africa and a break before their next series against Bangladesh and Pakistan, the captain believes his team must capitalise on this period of activity.
âItâs important to finish strong, you know, we believe it," Brathwaite affirmed. "The guys are positive. That was good to see. But yeah, we really pushing and aiming for a victory in this match."
He highlighted the importance of a strong first innings, stating: "I think itâs important to get a good first innings total. Bowling-wise, itâs just to be disciplined. I think we were decent in the first game and we just got to aim to be better."
Brathwaite expects no surprises from the Providence pitch, describing it as similar to Trinidad in terms of its slow nature. He acknowledged that the Guyanese players in the team would be more familiar with the conditions.
"It's a slowish pitch, we all know that, and it's just to work out how, as individual players, we want to go about scoring runs and obviously bowling spells."
The nature of the pitch is likely to influence South African captain Temba Bavuma's team selection, with the option of playing an extra slow bowler instead of an additional batter being considered.
Brathwaite is eager to dispel the notion that rain saved his team in the first Test and expects improvement from the West Indies in Guyana.
âI think batting-wiseâ¦we could have put more runs on the board. As I said, that is a big focus of ours, in terms of a big first innings total. Bowling-wise, obviously the pitch did not offer much, especially for the fast bowlers, and they (the slow bowlers) did not get much spin in the first innings as well. But I think we were quite disciplined.â
While he was pleased with the team's average scoring rate of three runs per over in the opening Test, he is hoping for overall improvement.
âBatting-wise, obviously weâve got to come to the party. The first innings, I think, is very crucial on this pitch, and then bowling-wise, I think dot balls are very important.â
Teams:
West Indies from: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph.
South Africa from: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aiden Markram, Tony De Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Dane Piedt, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger.