ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop and top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie are two of the most notable inclusions in the West Indies Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan.

The 26-year-old Bishop is in line to make his senior debut having been named in a 15-member squad, which was announced by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday and features the core of the squad that secured a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Bishop has been rewarded for his impressive performances at the regional level, where he has taken 91 wickets for the Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy across the past three West Indies Championship seasons — the most by any bowler during that period.

Meanwhile, McKenzie, who last played a Test match for the West Indies in 2024, has been named as a replacement for John Campbell, who has been ruled out of the series due to a left hamstring strain sustained during the recently concluded One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand.

He earned a recall following a superb showing in this year’s West Indies Championship, where he scored 323 runs in six innings at an average of 64.60.

In six matches for the West Indies, the 25-year-old McKenzie has scored 203 runs at an average of 16.91 with one half-century.

Test captain Roston Chase has recovered from a laceration and contusion to his right index finger, which he sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka, and is expected to lead the side.

The most glaring exclusion is that of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.

The series will mark a significant occasion for Caribbean cricket, with the opening match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from July 25-29 being the first men’s Test match ever staged at the venue, making it the 13th ground in the region to host Test cricket.

The second encounter will take place at the historic Queen’s Park Oval from August 2-6.

WEST INDIES TEST SQUAD

Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.