JAMAICA Scorpions fast bowler Oshane Thomas should be included in the West Indies team for the 1st Test against England, which will bowl off on Wednesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados. This was the sentiment expressed by former TT and WI cricketer Bryan Davis.
Last week, the WI selection panel, headed by Courtney Browne, announced a 13-member team for the 1st Test.
Captain Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph were the pace bowlers chosen by the selection panel, with Thomas named as a cover for Joseph, who is still recovering from a back injury.
According to Davis, “The fast bowling looks good….Holder, Gabriel, Joseph and Thomas. But I wouldn’t like Oshane Thomas as a cover. Oshane Thomas deserves to be in the side. I would have picked him before Roach.
“The wicketkeeper I have no problem, the batting line-up I have no problem,” he added.
England prepared for the 1st Test with a pair of two-day tour matches against the WI President’s XI at the 3Ws Oval in Cave Hill, Barbados. But the Test team was selected before the President's XI games were staged. This also stunned Davis.
“Years ago, when you had a President’s XI, you would select your team from that,” said Davis.
"(Anyway) the last time we played them in Barbados we won the match and drew the series 1-1.
Davis also queried the non-selection of TT Red Force leg-spinner Imran Khan on the WI team.
Khan, despite being among the leading wicket-takers in the regional competition for some time, has never earned an international call-up.
Davis said, “I hope the Test team can show some form. I am disappointed that Imran Khan did not get a look-in because (he) has shown so much form over the years and has gotten so many wickets.”
In his First Class career, which began in 2005, Khan has captured 386 wickets in 95 matches at an average of 23.22.
Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Oshane Thomas (cover for Joseph).
