Imlach and Chanderpaul retain spots for New Zealand Test tour; Roach recalled

37-year-old fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled to the West Indies 15-man squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand in December, while the team will be without the injured pace duo of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph.

The squad, captained by Roston Chase, sees the inclusion of maiden call-up Ojay Shields and the return of allrounder Kavem Hodge.

The series, which forms part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC), begins on December 1.

The selection committee prioritised experience in the pace department following the absences of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who are rehabilitating from injuries sustained earlier this year.

Roach’s inclusion is a direct attempt to bolster what is otherwise a youthful fast-bowling unit.

Among the key decisions, the selectors maintained faith in the two Guyanese Test incumbents, opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach, both of whom retain their spots.

However, the team saw the notable omission of fellow Guyanese batsman Kevlon Anderson, who was part of the recent Test squad that toured India but has been dropped for the challenging New Zealand assignment.

Anderson’s exclusion, alongside spinner Khary Pierre, suggests a targeted selection approach based on expected pace-friendly pitches.

Hodge returns to the squad specifically on the back of his previous success against pace bowling, while Pierre was excluded due to the expectation that spin will have limited impact.

The bowling unit also includes uncapped Ojay Shields and the retention of Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, stressed that the preparation for the tour has been intentionally focused on replicating the conditions expected across Hagley Oval, Basin Reserve, and Bay Oval.

“New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side, which is why strong emphasis has been placed on targeted preparation,” Bascombe said. “The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the pace-friendly surfaces we expect to face.”

Bascombe highlighted that the squad, which began arriving in New Zealand on November 20 to acclimatise, is arguably one of the best-prepared groups for an away tour to the country in recent years.

They will play a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln before the first Test.

The series will serve as the West Indies’ final fixture for 2025.

West Indies Test Squad to New Zealand: 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

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE (Caribbean Time) 

Two-Day Warm-Up Match: November 25-26, Lincoln, Christchurch

1st Test: 1-5 December 2025 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica

2nd Test: 9-13 October 2025 – Basin Reserve, Wellington @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica

3rd Test: 17-21 December 2025 – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui @6pm AST/5pm in Jamaica