“Kemar’s return is welcomed as he was one of the best fast bowlers in Tests in the recent past for us”

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The West Indies have picked pace bowler Kemar Roach and uncapped all-rounder Raymon Reifer for the upcoming three-Test series in England.

Roach was dropped last year due to his poor form with the ball, but he was recalled following a strong performance in the Professional Cricket League, which is the West Indies’ first-class tournament.

Roach, who represented Barbados, picked up 23 wickets in seven matches at an average of 16.17.

As for Reifer, he played an instrumental part in leading Guyana to the title as he took 36 wickets in nine games at an average of 21.58. He also scored 445 runs, which included two half-centuries, at an average of 37.08.

Meanwhile, Kyle Hope, who has yet to make his Test debut, was also drafted into the side after a decent showing in the recent ODI series against India, where he accumulated 100 runs in three matches at an average of 33.33.

However, batsman Vishaul Singh was dropped from the side after a disappointing performance in the three-Test series against Pakistan earlier this year, where he mustered 63 runs at an average of 10.50.

“[In Reifer and Kyle Hope] we have two players who will be new to Tests, but they have experience at first-class level,” Courtney Browne, the chairman of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) selection panel, said. “Kyle will be our third option as opener and he can also be a possible No. 3. Raymon adds variety to our attack with his left-arm swing bowling and has proven to be very useful with the bat in the lower order. He, therefore, adds value to our team and could be very useful in English conditions.

“Kemar’s return is welcomed as he was one of the best fast bowlers in Tests in the recent past for us. We have seen him during the last [first-class] season show signs of his return to form. He may not be bowling as quickly as before, but still possesses that skill we all knew he had, plus his experience adds greater depth to the attack.”

The Test series between England and the West Indies gets underway on August 17 at Edgbaston.

West Indies’ Test Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Braithwaite (vice-capt), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach