Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach has been recalled to the West Indies Test squad for their upcoming three-match series against New Zealand in December. The 15-member squad announcement comes as Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph remain out due to injuries, with 29-year-old Ojay Shields receiving his first Test call-up.Roach, whose last Test appearance was in Multan against Pakistan in January, brings crucial experience to an otherwise inexperienced pace attack. Allrounder Kavem Hodge has also made a return to the squad since his last Test in Multan.The squad has undergone intensive preparation, with several members completing a two-week high-performance training camp in the Caribbean. These players will join their teammates, who are currently in New Zealand for the ODI series, on November 20 before a two-day warm-up match against New Zealand XI in Christchurch.The series holds significance in the World Test Championship cycle, where West Indies currently occupy the bottom position among active teams after losing all five of their matches. New Zealand will be starting their WTC campaign with this series.Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, stated: “New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side, which is why strong emphasis has been placed on targeted preparation. The recent high-performance camp here in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces.”Bascombe added: “That level of intentional preparation, combined with the advantage of several squad members already in New Zealand for the white-ball portion of the tour gaining valuable time to acclimate, means this group goes into this series as well-prepared as any West Indies squad to tour there in recent years.”Left-arm orthodox spinner Khary Pierre has been left out of the squad. The full squad includes Roston Chase as captain, Jomel Warrican as vice-captain, along with Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Ojay Shields.
