Shamar Joseph ruled out of India Tests, Layne named replacement

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against India due to injury, Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed on Friday.

In his absence, 22-year-old all-rounder Johann Layne has been drafted into the squad for the Test series, scheduled from October 2 to 14.

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Layne, who has featured in 19 first-class matches, has scored 495 runs in 32 innings with two half-centuries. With the ball, he has picked up 66 wickets at an average of 22.28, including four five-wicket hauls.

Joseph, who made a sensational debut against Australia in January 2024 with a five-wicket haul, has so far played 11 Tests and claimed 51 wickets at 21.66. CWI added that the pacer will be re-evaluated ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, starting October 18.

The India series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will be the second assignment for the Roston Chase-led West Indies in the new WTC cycle, following their home series against Australia in June-July.

Last week, the visitors named a 15-member squad for their first Test tour of India since 2018. Among the notable inclusions is left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who earned his maiden Test call-up after a standout season in the West Indies Championship, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 41 scalps at 13.56.

The squad also sees the return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze. Chanderpaul, who has accumulated 560 runs in 10 Tests, last featured during the Australia tour in January 2024, while Athanaze was part of the side that drew a two-Test series in Pakistan earlier this year.

While the first Test starts October 2 at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, the second game in Delhi starts October 10.

Updated West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden