Watch the first Test between Windies and England live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1pm on Wednesday, January 23
Tuesday 15 January 2019 21:07, UK
Darren Bravo is poised to play his first Test in over two years after being named in Windies’ 13-man squad to face England in Barbados.
The batsman, 29, was involved in a longstanding dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board but made his return to the white-ball set-up in December and a Test recall has now followed.
However, there is no place for Marlon Samuels, who famously saluted Ben Stokes off the field during England's Test tour of the Caribbean in 2015, while Sunil Ambris and Kieran Powell are dropped for the first Test.
Uncapped batsmen Shamarh Brookes and John Campbell are named in the party, while Oshane Thomas is included as cover for fellow seamer Alzarri Joseph, who is continuing his comeback from a stress fracture of the back.
Windies were beaten 2-0 in Bangladesh before Christmas and have won only two of their previous 15 Test series, though they did hold England to a 1-1 draw at home four years ago.
"With the return of Darren Bravo, who will add value to a batting department, we expect to see marked improvement," said chairman of selectors Courtney Browne.
"After a difficult Test series in Bangladesh late last year the opportunity presents itself for our team to pick itself up.
"Although a tough series against England is anticipated, home turf has always been a place where our team has made strides."
The first Test begins at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Wednesday, January 23, with build-up beginning at 1pm on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) and Main Event (channel 401).
England have won only one Test series in the West Indies since 1968 - Michael Vaughan's team triumphing 3-0 in 2004 in a series in which Brian Lara scored a Test-record 400 not out.
Windies' squad for the first Test: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, John Brooks, Shamarh Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican. Cover: Oshane Thomas.
Watch England's tour of the Caribbean live on Sky Sports this winter, starting with the first Test in Barbados from Wednesday, January 23.
