Joseph replaces Roach for Jamaica Test

KINGSTON: Alzarri Joseph has replaced Kemar Roach in the 13-man Windies squad named to face Bangladesh in the second Test at Jamaica starting Thursday.

Roach picked a hamstring strain in the first Test in Antigua, where he bowled an unbelievable spell of 5-1-8-5 to shoot Bangladesh down for 43 in the first innings. He didn’t bowl after his first spell in the first innings and has been rested for the second.

That has paved the way for 21-year-old Joseph, who’s returning to international cricket after a seven-month layoff due to a stress fracture injury. Joseph impressed for WICB President’s XI in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, where he picked figures of 4 for 53 - his wickets being Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan.

Since sustaining the injury during the warm-up game against New Zealand A last year, which had him sidelined from the entirety of Windies Tour of New Zealand 2017, Joseph has been involved in an intense program focused on bowling strength and conditioning. He was also a part of an Antigua-based T20 competition in May.

Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Devon Smith.