Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India Test series with lower-back injury
Key Takeaways
- Alzarri Joseph is ruled out of the West Indies' two-match Test series against India due to a lower-back injury.
- Jason Holder declined the offer to replace Joseph, citing a planned medical procedure.
- Jediah Blades, a 23-year-old uncapped left-arm seamer, has been called up as Joseph's replacement.
- Joseph's absence severely depletes the pace attack, which was also missing Shamar Joseph.
- The first Test match against India is scheduled to begin on October 1st in Ahmedabad.
West Indies' pace attack has been significantly weakened as Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against India starting this week due to a lower-back injury, which scans revealed as a degeneration of a previously resolved issue. Adding to their woes, Jason Holder, currently with the T20I squad, declined the call to replace Joseph, stating he has a planned medical procedure. The replacement selected is 23-year-old uncapped left-arm seamer Jediah Blades, who will join the Test squad after completing his T20I commitments in the UAE. This injury follows the recent withdrawal of Shamar Joseph, who was replaced by Johann Layne, leaving Jayden Seales as the most experienced seam bowler in the current setup. The first Test against India is scheduled to commence on October 1st in Ahmedabad, testing the depth of the West Indies squad.
