WICB chalks out spin course for Test probables

Barbados, May 16 (CRICKETNMORE): Ahead of the gruelling Test series against India and Pakistan, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has shifted its focus to spin, as seven Test players were on Monday included in a 14-member squad for a week-long training camp here.

The cricketers will work on spin bowling and batting under head coach Phil Simmons at the High Performance Centre here.

The Caribbeans are slated to play four Tests at home against India in July and August, after which they will take on Pakistan in three away Tests in September and October.

"The camp is specifically for batsmen and spin bowlers. At this stage, we want the batsmen to focus on getting better against the slow bowlers," Simmons was quoted as saying by a cricket website.

"We want bowlers to look at ways to improve their art of spin bowling. In the coming months we will have Test matches against India and Pakistan -- two higher-ranked teams -- so we know we will face a lot of spin and we will play against players who are good players of spin."

Simmons, however, clarified that the players participating in the camp are not the final squad.

"The list of players for this camp does not mean that they have already been selected to play the Test matches. The squads for the India and Pakistan matches will be named at a later date," he said.

"We have chosen players to work on certain specific areas and to have a closer look at their techniques and skill sets, as we look to prepare for what is ahead of us," he added.

WICB is also expected to organise a camp ahead of the 50-over tri-series against Australia and South Africa, starting June 3.

List of players: Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrika, Shai Hope, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich, Leon Johnson, Vishal Singh, Roston Chase, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Imran Khan, Gudakesh Motie, Damion Jacobs, Jomel Warrican.

Agency.