BRIDGETOWN – A wave of change is sweeping through both the West Indies and Australia as they prepare to face off in a three-match Test series starting Wednesday. With fresh faces and new leadership, both teams aim to kick off the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a strong note.
West Indies will be led for the first time by spin-bowling all-rounder Roston Chase, who takes over from Kraigg Brathwaite. Chase, who last played a Test in March 2023, hopes to reintroduce the flair and aggression traditionally associated with Caribbean cricket. “We want to play positive cricket and make the region proud,” Chase said.
Australia, meanwhile, is reshaping its batting order following a disappointing loss to South Africa in the recent WTC final. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed that the team is looking to the future, with teenager Sam Konstas partnering Usman Khawaja at the top and Josh Inglis slotting into the middle order.
Notably, veterans Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will miss the series — Smith due to injury and Labuschagne being dropped. Cummins stressed the importance of resetting mentally and building a new lineup, saying, “We’re starting from zero points again and planning for the next few years.”
Cameron Green will continue to bat at number three, despite his underwhelming performance in the WTC final. Cummins expressed full confidence in the all-rounder, stating that he deserves a longer run in the position and that one bad outing should not define his place.
As the series begins in Bridgetown, Chase is hoping to capitalize on West Indies’ surprise win over Australia in January 2024. “If they’re still thinking about that loss, it helps us,” he remarked, aiming to turn mental pressure into an advantage as the two teams head into a promising new era of Test cricket.