Roach, Hodge Return as West Indies Name Test Squad for New Zealand Tour

Kemar Roach and Kavem Hodge have been recalled to the West Indies Test squad for the three-match series in New Zealand this December. The senior fast bowler and allrounder were included in a 15-member squad announced ahead of the tour, as the team looks to regain footing in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Roach, who last featured in a Test earlier this year in Multan during the Pakistan tour, brings valuable experience with 85 Tests under his belt. His return comes at a time when the pace department is without Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, both of whom remain sidelined with injuries. The attack will also include 29-year-old fast bowler Ojay Shields, who has earned his maiden Test call-up.

Hodge, who also played his most recent Test in Multan, re-enters the squad as a middle-order option. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Khary Pierre has been dropped after falling out of favour for this series.

Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized the challenge of touring New Zealand, noting the team's efforts to prepare for pace-friendly conditions. “New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side… The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face,” Bascombe said.

Roach, Shields, and other squad members completed a two-week high-performance camp in Antigua before departing to join the main squad, currently in New Zealand for an ODI series. The Test specialists will participate in a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch starting November 20.

The Test series will contribute to the current World Test Championship cycle. West Indies sit at the bottom of the table among teams that have played at least one Test, having lost all five of their matches so far. New Zealand will begin their WTC campaign with this series.

West Indies Test Squad for New Zealand Tour

Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields