Opening battter Kieran Powell has been axed from the West Indies Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Cricket West Indies announced that uncapped batter Jeremy Solozano is the only new face in the 15-man squad that will play two Tests as part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
Powell, who featured in West Indies’ most recent Test assignment at home against Pakistan, registered scores of 0,4,5 and 23 in the two matches.
Solozano, an opening batter, appears to be the prime candidate to open alongside skipper Kraigg Brathwaite after impressing in the recent Best v Best matches and training sessions in Antigua.
West Indies have also been boosted in the pace department following the inclusion of Shannon Gabriel.
The 33-year-old was left out of the squad for the Pakistan Tests as a result of a hamstring injury and has now come back in place of Chemar Holder.
Shamarh Brooks, who was recalled for the Pakistan series, has been left out with backup keeper Jahmar Hamilton also fetching the axe. Veerasammy Permaul, who was recalled to the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour earlier this year, has been included to bolster their spin contingent.
He replaced Alzarri Joseph, who had an ordinary outing against Pakistan in his most recent Test appearance. West Indies are scheduled to play a four-day warmup match beginning on November 14 in Colombo ahead of the two Tests.
The first game will begin on November 21 whereas the second Test is scheduled to begin on November 29.
