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West Indies have announced their playing 11 for the opening Test against South Africa beginning Wednesday, August 7 in Trinidad. Right-handed batter Keacy Carty will make his Test debut, with the hosts also opting for two specialist spinners in Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie.
Carty has played 22 ODIs since debuting in 2022 against the Netherlands. The 27-year-old has featured in 59 first-class matches and scored 2360 runs, averaging 28.09 alongside a best of 127. Carty also bowls part-time right-arm medium pace. However, it's unclear where he will bat.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis will likely be retained as openers after attaining success in patches during the three-Test tour of England last month. Kemar Roach, who missed the tour due to an injury, returns to lead the bowling attack. Jayden Seales is likely to share the new ball, while Jason Holder will play as the third seamer.
West Indies playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.
West Indies haven't beaten South Africa in a Test since 2007
Meanwhile, the Caribbeans have a poor record against the Proteas in Tests. The two sides have squared off in 32 matches since 1992, with South Africa emerging victorious on 22 occasions. The Men in Maroon have won just three of them, while seven have resulted in draws.
The Caribbeans last beat South Africa in Gqeberha in 2007 when Shivnarine Chanderpaul starred with a dogged 104 in the first innings to lift his side to 408. The tourists then bowled Graeme Smith and Co. out for 195 and eventually set them 389 to win.
Speedsters Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor picked up 3 wickets apiece to fire the Windies to a 128-run win. South Africa last toured the Caribbean Islands in 2021 and won both Tests hosted by Gros Islet.
