Da Silva to lead West Indies ‘A’

The inexperienced trio of Kevlon Anderson, Shamar Joseph and Abhijai Mansingh have been granted their first international call-ups, in a 14-man West Indies-A squad for the tour of South Africa starting later this month.

Anderson, Joseph and Abhijai Mansingh have played only 13 first class matches combined.

The unit, led by Test gloveman Joshua Da Silva, will face South Africa-A in three four-day “Tests” from Nov. 21 to Dec. 8.

“Da Silva did an outstanding job as captain in the ‘Tests’ in Bangladesh and he is again the captain for this tour,” chief selector, Desmond Haynes, said in reference to the tour of Bangladesh earlier this year.

“Anderson is a young batsman who has benefited immensely from his time in the West Indies Academy, and we saw his quality of batsmanship in the Headley-Weekes Tri Series. “Mansingh showed quality with bat and ball in the first-class competition and gets this opportunity to showcase his skills and progress.

“Joseph is a young fast bowler who has impressed everyone with his genuine pace, his tremendous fitness and a huge desire to gain more knowledge about the game. You can see he wants to learn and get better.”

Da Silva, who helped T&T Red Force win the Regional Super50 Cup, is one of four current Test players in the touring side, with openers Kirk McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, along with fast bowler Jayden Seales, also included.

McKenzie, 23, played his only Test last July against India in the Caribbean while Chanderpaul has already struck a double hundred in eight Tests since making his debut last November.

Seales, has featured in ten Tests after making his debut three years ago as a teenager.

Shermon Lewis, a 28-year-old who played two Tests five years ago, has also been named in the squad.

Batsman Tevin Imlach, who has played 15 first class matches, will serve as Da Silva’s deputy.

Test head coach Andre Coley will oversee the management team, with former director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, serving as assistant coach along with former Australia fast bowler Shaun Taitt.