ROSEAU—Uncapped Shane Dowrich and Rajindra Chandrika were poised for Test debuts after they were named yesterday in a 14-man West Indies squad to face Australia in the opening Test of the two-match series starting next week. Both batsmen shone during the recent three-day game against the Aussies which finished Friday, gathering half-centuries for the West Indies President’s XI at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.
The 23-year-old Barbadian Dowrich, a wicketkeeper/ batsman was most impressive with two half-centuries in the contest. He had a breakthrough year in the WICB Professional Cricket League, chalking up 615 runs at an average of 46, with two centuries. Chandrika, meanwhile, gathered 74 in the first innings for President’s XI, one of five half-centuries, with Roston Chase, Jason Mohammed and Carlos Brathwaite also getting among the runs.
The right-handed Chandrika, 25, was a member of the Guyana Jaguars squad which captured the WICB PCL crown, scoring 525 runs at an average of 35. An opener, Chandrika could be used to partner Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order. West Indies face Australia in the opening Test at Windsor Park starting Wednesday, with the second Test set for Sabina Park in Jamaica on June 11.