Pooran, King, Thomas, Powell, Allen headline Windies A team to face New Zealand A

– Pooran to miss Big Bash opening matches to play in A team

While the West Indies have not announced the team to play the New Zealand A team in the two first-class matches, starting on November 20, Lead Selector Roger Harper indicated that members of the West Indies T20 team have agreed to feature in these two first-class matches.

The likes of Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Brandon King, Fabian Allen and Rovman Powell have agreed to play in the first-class matches. Guyana’s Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul, members of the Test reserves and other players who fail to make the Test starting XI will also have an opportunity to play against New Zealand A.

Test reserves Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua DaSilva, Preston McSween, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer and Jayden Seales will also complete the West Indies A team.

West Indies A will play New Zealand A in Queenstwon in a three-day match from November 20-22, followed by a four-day match from November 26-29 in the same Queenstwon venue. The first Test match between West Indies and New Zealand will commence on December 3.

Pooran has been signed by the Melbourne Stars for six games across the New Year period. The West Indies’ T20 vice-captain, Pooran, is currently in New Zealand for the matches against the Black Caps and will head to Australia for a short stint once his international commitments are finished.
While the powerful left-hander has not been named in the West Indies Test squad to face the Black Caps, it’s expected he will remain with the touring party after the T20 matches from November 27 to November 30 to get some red-ball experience during the Test campaign, which will run until December 15.

West Indies lead selector, Roger Harper on Wednesday evening in a virtual press conference with the media, confirmed that Pooran has agreed to play in the two 4-Day matches against New Zealand A team. The Big Bash season begins on December 10, meaning Pooran will miss the opening stages of the tournament.

The recent creation of a Trans-Tasman travel bubble means Pooran won’t be required to complete mandatory quarantine when he arrives in Australia as he’s currently nearing the end of a quarantine period in New Zealand. The Stars have confirmed Pooran will be available for six matches in December and January, joining English star Jonny Bairstow as the club’s second international signing.

The signing of Pooran, who can also keep wickets, adds to an already powerful top order at the Stars alongside Bairstow, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell. (Brandon Corlette)