After impressing in his only ODI, against England, Sunil Ambris is in line for a test debut for West Indies in New Zealand.
In-form batsman Sunil Ambris is the new face in the West Indies test cricket squad for their tour of New Zealand.
The 24-year-old from St Vincent played a solitary one-day international against England in September, scoring 38 not out off 27 balls, but wasn't part of the test squad who just completed a 1-0 series win in Zimbabwe.
Ambris, fresh from dual first-class centuries for West Indies A against Sri Lanka A in the Caribbean last month, replaces Kyle Hope who was dropped after scoring 16, 43 and 1 in the two tests in Bulawayo.
Kemar Roach of the West Indies will spearhead their pace attack in New Zealand.
Otherwise the West Indies tour squad has a familiar look to that which performed with credit in England, bouncing back from a heavy defeat in the first test to win the second test at Headingley, before the hosts closed out the series at Lord's.
In Zimbabwe West Indies won their first test series under Jason Holder's captaincy, with spinner Devendra Bishoo named man of the series for his 13 wickets at an average of 26 on lifeless pitches which left coach Stuart Law unimpressed.
Law, the former Australian batsman, tipped his pace bowling duo Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel to cause headaches for New Zealand's batsmen on bouncier surfaces at the Basin Reserve and Seddon Park next month.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel of West Indies was reportedly clocked at 150kmh on the speed gun in Zimbabwe and will be a key man in New Zealand.
"On very slow, low wickets, to have Shannon and Kemar doing what they did was great to watch," Law told ESPNCricinfo.
"I can't be more proud of our boys. Fast bowlers get the rough end of the stick in these conditions, but it was tough for the spinners as well. The turn was slow and the batsmen had time to adjust. I'm sure our fast bowlers are looking forward to going to New Zealand."
Roach snared eight wickets at 17.25 while Gabriel was clocked at 150kmh on the speed radar and snared five wickets at 34.
With the bat Shai Hope (87), Kieran Powell (54.33) and Roston Chase (52.66) all averaged over 50 in Zimbabwe while Holder and Shane Dowrich each scored centuries and topped 40 on the averages.
West Indies haven't won a test in New Zealand since 1995, by an innings and 322 runs in Wellington. In 10 subsequent tests between the sides in this country, the Black Caps have won six and drawn four, with the latest series a 2-0 win for the hosts in December 2013, in Wellington and Hamilton.
The tour squad have a training camp until November 21 in Brisbane, before flying to Christchurch where they meet New Zealand A in a warmup match at Lincoln from November 25-27.
West Indies test squad: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.
Itinerary:
November 25-27: Tour match v New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
December 1-5: 1st test at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Dec 9-13: 2nd test at Seddon Park, Hamilton
Dec 20: 1st ODI at Cobham Oval, Whangerei
Dec 23: 2nd ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Dec 26: 3rd ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Dec 29: 1st Twenty20 at Saxton Oval, Nelson
January 1: 2nd T20 at Bay Oval, Tauranga
Jan 3: 3rd T20 at Bay Oval, Tauranga
- Stuff