West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has expressed his confidence in debutant Mikyle Louis ahead of their clash against England at Lord's.
Louis, set to become the first cricketer from St Kitts to represent the West Indies in Test cricket, joins a youthful top order including Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, and Kavem Hodge. Brathwaite, preparing for his 90th Test, emphasized the importance of ambition and self-belief among his younger teammates, urging them not to be intimidated by the iconic venue.
"Mikyle is a great addition, with a joyful spirit. I believe he will thrive in international cricket for years to come," Brathwaite remarked at a press conference. "To Mikyle and the other young players, I say: aim high. Don't just play for the West Indies; aim to set new standards."
Brathwaite also highlighted the team's excitement and potential, particularly praising the recent performances of bowler Shamar Joseph, who made headlines with a remarkable display against Australia earlier this year despite injury.
"With players like Shamar stepping up, we're optimistic about our prospects," Brathwaite added. "Consistency will be key for us, both in batting and bowling. We're ready to take on this challenge and believe in our abilities."
The West Indies team for the series opener includes seasoned campaigners like Jason Holder, making his return to Test cricket, and spinner Gudakesh Motie, providing a balanced attack alongside pace bowler Alzarri Joseph and the aforementioned Shamar Joseph.
