HIGHLIGHTS
- Experienced Fast Bowler Kemar Roach recalled to the squad for what is expected to be a challenging series.
- Ojay Shields earns maiden call-up, with Kavem Hodge making his return to the team.
- Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph ruled out of action for the remainder of the year as they continue rehabilitation from injuries sustained earlier this year.
West Indies Veteran Fast Bowler Kemar Roach attends Camp in Antigua
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its 15-member squad for the December 1-21, three-test series against New Zealand in Christchurch, Wellington and Mount Maunganui.
With Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph both rehabilitating from injuries sustained earlier this year, and therefore forced to miss this series, veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled, bolstering an inexperienced fast-bowling unit featuring maiden call-up, Ojay Shields.
Shields and Roach were among several players to have recently completed a rigorous two-week high-performance camp in Antigua, in preparation for the highly anticipated series where playing surfaces are expected to be conducive to pace-bowling.
Kavem Hodge makes his return to the regional squad on the back of his previous success against pace, while Khary Pierre has been excluded with spin-bowling not expected to have a major impact over the three-match series.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, spoke to focused preparation for the tour and the intentional efforts to ensure that this squad is one of the best-prepared groups for an away tour to New Zealand.
“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. The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces.”
West Indies Batter Kavem Hodge prepares at Camp in Antigua
“That level of intentional preparation, combined with the advantage of several squad members already in New Zealand for the white-ball portion of the tour gaining valuable time to acclimate, means this group goes into this series as well-prepared as any West Indies squad to tour there in recent years.”
=Those traveling from the Caribbean joined the rest of the squad already in New Zealand on November 20, giving them considerable time to become acclimatised and take part in a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln, Christchurch.
The series forms part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship and will be 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
Team Management Unit (TMU)
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Manager: Rawl Lewis
Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam
Mental Skills/Performance Coach: Krisnan Hurdle
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne
Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster
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
West Indies Fast Bowler Ojay Shields attends Camp in Antigua
