Kraigg Brathwaite ready to make 'West Indies proud' with greenhorn squad in Australia

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has affirmed his starting XI for the impending Test against Australia, unveiling plans to introduce three debutants. Commending his relatively young squad, Brathwaite lauded their adept utilisation of the warm-up fixture in Adelaide.

The three-day clash with Cricket Australia XI saw notable contributions from the top order, with Joshua Da Silva notching a century on the final day, complemented by Kavem Hodge's scores of 52 and 99, and Justin Greaves twice making significant runs.

The Windies bowlers showcased their prowess, dismissing the CA XI for 174 in the first innings, spearheaded by the promising Shamar Joseph, who is poised for a debut alongside seasoned campaigners Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph in the upcoming Test.

As the Caribbean side gears up for the challenge, he expressed confidence in his carefully chosen combination. The Windies' performance in the warm-up encounter has undoubtedly boosted their morale ahead of the impending Test clash with Australia.

"[I'm] quite clear on the XI. Very happy with how all the guys went about the camp [and] went about this game. This time next week it's about making West Indies proud," Brathwaite said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

Reshuffled West Indies squad eyes history in Australia

Though Brathwaite remained discreet about the specific lineup for the impending Test against Australia, insights from the warm-up match suggest that Hodge and Greaves are likely to debut at No. 5 and 6, respectively, alongside Shamar. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, renowned for his 13-wicket haul against Zimbabwe a year ago, seems poised to assume the frontline spinner role, although the selectors may contemplate allrounder Kevin Sinclair's noteworthy performance.

In the second innings, West Indies reshuffled their batting order, with Da Silva capitalising on his opportunity with a century. Brathwaite expressed satisfaction with Hodge's consistent contributions. With 87 Tests under Brathwaite's belt and 79 for Roach, the experienced duo is anticipated to play pivotal roles, providing leadership on the field. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alzarri, part of the previous tour, are also expected to bring their expertise to the fore. The West Indies, having showcased versatility in their warm-up match, are gearing up for a challenging Test series against Australia.