Kyle Hope (pictured) has been replaced by Sunil Ambris

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The West Indies have called up batsman Sunil Ambris as a replacement for Kyle Hope for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand.

Ambris has yet to make his Test debut, but played his first ODI against England in September this year, where he scored an unbeaten 38.

In regards to his first-class record, Ambris has scored 1,900 runs in 38 matches at an average of 31.14.

The decision to drop Hope comes after he has failed to have an impact time and time again. In the five Tests he has played, the 28-year-old has amassed 101 runs at a dismal average of 11.22.

“Sunil has replaced Kyle Hope in the squad, and this is on the basis of his consistent performances across formats and his outstanding returns for the Windies ‘A’ Team in the ‘Test’ series against Sri Lanka ‘A’,” Cricket West Indies’ chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said. “This type of consistency is very welcomed by the panel.

“Kyle is encouraged to return to the first-class championship and turn in the strong performances his talent suggests he can deliver.”

With the West Indies triumphing 1-0 in their recently concluded Test series against Zimbabwe, Browne pointed out that there was no need to make any drastic changes to the side.

“It [series win in Zimbabwe] was a strong team effort and highlighted by those players that did not do as well as expected on the recent tour of England, playing critical roles in the team’s success,” he said. “Their success augurs well for the selection process and the philosophy of continuity, which has underpinned our selection for the tour of New Zealand, and not the chopping and changing mentality.”

The West Indies will prepare for their tour of New Zealand with a training camp in Brisbane until November 21.

However, prior to their two-Test series against the Black Caps, which begins on December 1 in Wellington, they will take on New Zealand A in a three-day warm-up match in Lincoln.

After the two-Test series, the West Indies and New Zealand will play three ODIs and as many Twenty20 Internationals.

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