Shamar, Motie miss WI’s tour game after flight from Guyana cancelled

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie were late to join the West Indies Test squad in England after their flight from Guyana was canceled due to Hurricane Beryl, which has left the Caribbean in distress over the past few days.

Shamar and Motie, subsequently, were absent from the visitors’ line-up for the three-day warm-up game against the First Class Counties XI, which started in Beckenham on Wednesday.

It is understood that Motie landed in London later in the day, while Shamar will arrive on Friday. This means they will be good to go for the first Test, which starts at Lord’s on July 10.

Shamar had grabbed the headlines in January after a fantastic spell to stun Australia in the Brisbane Test and help West Indies draw the two-match series 1-1.

He is expected to play a key role for West Indies in England too, as part of a fast-bowling unit which will be led by Alzarri Joseph after Kemar Roach pulled out due to injury recently.

Jayden Seales is likely to be the third fast bowler West Indies utilise in the three-match series, keeping in mind the strong form he has displayed in the second division of county cricket where he is among the leading wicket-takers with 24 wickets in six matches at an average of 24.25 including two five-fors. (ESPNcricinfo)