Windies vs India: Ankle injury rules Keemo Paul out of Antigua Test; replacement named

Keemo Paul, the Windies fast bowler, has been ruled out of the first Test versus India, scheduled to be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. The same is due to an injury in his left ankle, but he will be in Antigua itself in order to undergo rehabilitation. Paul made his Test debut versus Bangladesh back in July 2018 and has played three matches in the format.

In those games, he picked up only six wickets but gave a good account of himself with the bat in hand against India itself, having gotten his top score of 47 in Rajkot. He last played Test cricket versus England in Gros Islet back in February this year. In the meantime, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named right-arm pacer Miguel Cummins as Paul’s replacement for the game.

“With Keemo ruled out for this match, it’s good to have someone with Miguel’s quality back in the squad, as he brings experience to the team,” Windies interim head coach Floyd Reifer was quoted as saying in a statement as per reports in India TV.

Cummins made his Test debut versus India

Cummins has an experience of 13 Tests in which he has picked up 27 wickets at an average of 37.59. In fact, he made his debut in the format versus India itself at Kingston, Jamaica back in July 2016. In the second match of the same series, the youngster picked up nine wickets in the match, which included a six-wicket haul in the second innings of the encounter.

He didn’t quite carry on with his good form and subsequently lost his place in the team. He last played Test cricket back in July 2018 versus Bangladesh. The Windies played three full-fledged Test series thereafter and Cummins wasn’t a part of the side.

The speedster recently played a couple of first-class matches for Windies A against India A. In the first game at North Sound, he finished with a four-wicket haul. The interim coach of the national team feels that Cummins is a genuine wicket-taker and can help them win the series.

“Watching him in the last A Team series against India A and the training sessions his lengths have improved. He’s a very hard worker and a wicket-taker. I’m sure, if given the opportunity to play, he will make a valuable contribution in our bid to win this series,” Reifer added.

Watch: 10 Indian cricketers’ wives and their professions