ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – Uncapped Shane Dowrich and Rajindra Chandrika were poised for Test debuts after they were named yesterday in a 14-man West Indies squad to face Australia in the opening Test of the two-match series starting Wednesday.Both batsmen shone during the recent three-day game against the Aussies which finished Friday, gathering half-centuries for the West Indies President’s XI at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.
The 23-year-old Dowrich, a wicketkeeper/batsman who hails from Barbados, was most impressive with two half-centuries in the contest.
He top scored with 78 in the first innings and struck an unbeaten 53 in the second innings on Friday as the game petered out into a draw. The right-hander was accomplished in both innings.
Dowrich, who has already played 43 first class matches, has played for West Indies A in the past.
He had a breakthrough year in the WICB Professional Cricket League, chalking up 615 runs at an average of 46, with two centuries.
Chandrika, meanwhile, gathered 74 in the first innings for President’s XI, one of five half-centuries, with Roston Chase, Jason Mohammed and Carlos Brathwaite also getting among the runs.
The right-handed Chandrika, 25, was a member of the Guyana Jaguars squad which captured the WICB PCL crown, scoring 525 runs at an average of 35.
An opener, Chandrika could be used to partner Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order.
There was no room for Brathwaite, however, who was part of the Test squad for the England series. The 26-year-old was impressive during the three-day encounter, smashing a quick-fire unbeaten 50 off 42 deliveries and taking three wickets for 39 runs to be the best bowler on show.
The side is captained by Denesh Ramdin and includes the 12 players announced last Sunday for the one-week training camp which ended Friday in Barbados.
West Indies face Australia in the opening Test at Windsor Park starting Wednesday, with the second Test set for Sabina Park in Jamaica on June 11.
SQUAD – Denesh Ramdin (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor.
