Under-19 pace sensation in West Indies squad for 2nd Test against India

Alzarri Joseph. (ICC)

 

 

Kingston: Uncapped teenage fast bowler Alzarri Joseph will join the 13-member West Indies squad for the second Test against India starting here on July 30, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said.

The 19-year-old Joseph has performed outstanding bowling feats for the U-19 side where he snared 13 wickets to lead West Indies to their World Cup title in Bangladesh. 

No other changes have been made to the Jason Holder-led squad which looked inexperienced against India's supermacy in the first game as they were thrashed by an innings and 92 runs.

Joseph, who has taken 24 wickets from 8 first class games, bowled the fastest ball in the ICC Under-19 youth World Cup at 91.5mph and consistently hovered around the high 80s-90mph.

If West Indies look to play an extra fast bowler in Jamaica, they will have to choose between two uncapped players Joseph and the 25-year-old Barbados quick Miguel Cummins, who was part of the squad for the first Test but did not make the 

"We feel that Alzarri, who led the attack so expertly in the ICC Youth World Cup earlier this year in Bangladesh, will now benefit from the professional guidance of our coaching staff and the presence of fast bowling legend Joel Garner as manager," said Courtney Browne, chairman of the West Indies selection panel.

Joseph has been impressive in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL). In one of the matches, he hit AB de Villiers on the helmet. Here is video:

 

Joseph also claimed a hat-trick in the CPL T20.