Windies recall Keemo Paul for 3rd ENG Test, Brathwaite named captain

The Windies team management has decided to rope in Keemo Paul as a replacement for Jason Holder for the third Test against England while opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has been named as the captain. Windies’ regular skipper Holder has been suspended by ICC for one Test due to an over rate offence.

Paul rewarded for good show in first-class championship

Courtney Browne, the Windies Chairman of Selectors said that with Jason Holder missing out on the last Test, Kraigg Brathwaite will take the reins of captaincy.

Keemo Paul Added To Squad For 3rd Wisden Trophy Test | https://t.co/u6H4y7Jj5Z pic.twitter.com/m6j4brlwEi

— WIPA (@wiplayers) February 4, 2019

At the same he also welcomed Keemo Paul back to the squad. He noted that Paul is having a good showing in the West Indies first-class championship at the moment.

He added that the panel also takes this opportunity to congratulate the team and the support staff for the series victory and wish them all the best for the third and final match of the series.

Holder’s absence a blow to Windies

Skipper Jason Holder has remained prolific with the bat as well as with the ball for Windies in the recent times. He played a big role in Windies’ historic Test win against England. He scored a double-hundred in the first Test and picked ten wickets in four innings so far.

He is currently the top ranked all-rounder in ICC’s rankings for all-rounders in Tests and in his absence Windies will be hoping that Paul delivers an all-round performance.

.@athersmike says Jason Holder's over-rate ban is a "massive blow" for Windies ✖️

What do he and @nassercricket make of the ICC's decision? ?

More on Holder's ban ? https://t.co/ZjKQoZH11L

? Watch the third #WIvENG Test from 1.30pm on Saturday! ??? pic.twitter.com/hctWWjJDK5

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 3, 2019

Paul has featured in two Tests so far and has claimed three wickets but has been impressive in the recent first-class games. He claimed 20 wickets in last three games for Guyana and has scored one half-century as well.

Meanwhile Brathwaite will lead the Windies for the fifth time in Tests. The last time he captained Windies in 2017 against Bangladesh.

Third Test to start from February 09

Windies have already pocketed the three match Test series against England by winning the first two Tests with a massive margin.

The third Test between the two teams will be played at St. Lucia from 09th February.