Shannon Gabriel was initially among the traveling reserves but now he has acquired a place in the 15 member squad after proving his fitness after the ankle surgery by proving his fitness in the two intrasquad warm-up matches at Old Trafford.
Shannon’s chances of playing in the Test series opener match against England in Southampton has increased after he was formally added to the West Indies Test squad on Thursday. The fast bowler was initially among the traveling reserves but now has been added in the 15 members strong squad after proving his fitness & efficiency following an ankle surgery with encouraging displays in the two intra-squad warm-up matches at Old Trafford. “I am delighted that we are able to add Shannon to the Test squad,” said West Indies lead selector Roger Harper. “He has shown that he is fit and ready, he will add experience, firepower, and potency to the bowling unit.”
Gabriel has taken eight wickets at an average of just 15 a piece in the warm-up matches. The 32-year-old bowler is a seasoned Test campaigner by grabbing 133 wickets in 45 matches since his debut at Lord’s in 2012 & he helped the West Indies to regain Wisden Trophy during their 2-1 series win over England in the Caribbean last year.
Thursday was the last day of the West Indies second & final warm-up game with Coach Phil Simmons officially rejoining the team after his negative coronavirus tets. West Indies captain Jason Holder took an opportunity to promote himself to open the batting for West Indies as he was leading against a Kraigg Brathwaite XI. But the all-rounder scored just two runs off 15 deliveries with Jason holder scoring just seven runs in the warm-up games.
Currently, Simmons is leaving in self-isolation in his hotel room at Old Trafford after leaving the venue to attend his father’s funeral. He watched most of the warm-up games from his balcony but headed for the warm-up on Thursday after being tested negative for COVID-19 for the third time.
