Sammy backs Bishop and McKenzie selections for West Indies Tests versus Pakistan

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC): Daren Sammy, head coach of the West Indies, insists that the form Joshua Bishop and Kirk McKenzie have shown of late fully justifies their places in the regional squad picked for the coming Test series against Pakistan.

Bishop, 26, and McKenzie, 25, are part of a 15-man group named for the two-match series, the opening game of which starts on Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Each man has caught the eye in regional competition. Bishop, who bowls left-arm spin, has collected 91 wickets over the last three seasons of the West Indies Championship, while McKenzie had a standout run in this year's edition, compiling 323 runs from six innings at an average of 64.60.

Sammy, in an interview on Thursday, said the pair had earned their call-ups.

“Joshua Bishop has been really knocking at the doors ever since. Obviously with the venue that we have here now with the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Queen’s Park, it brings an opportunity for us to probably even play two genuine spinners and Roston as the captain as well, and Joshua Bishop’s contribution and performances will help him force his way into the Test team,” the coach said.

“Young McKenzie is a really bright prospect for us. He was in the team before; I remember watching him score a fighting half century in that Test match we won in Australia where Shamar Joseph had his historic moment,” Sammy recalled.

“He kind of lost form and then throughout the last two or three years he worked his foot in and unfortunately for John Campbell, who was looking good in the last Test series, but got injured, so McKenzie gets an opportunity to be in the squad.

“But again, moving forward we’re trying to have that pool of players where when one person is missing the role doesn’t change because we have somebody who can come in and fill that role. So, it’s exciting to have two young players that are the future of West Indies come in, see how the team operates and come in and gain as much experience and exposure as possible,” he added.