WINDIES TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND, 2017-18

Kyle Hope dropped for New Zealand tour

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Hope has struggled in his short career so far with 43 being his highest score in Tests nine innings. © Getty

Kyle Hope has been dropped from the 15-member Windies Test squad for the two-match Test series in New Zealand after a poor run, Cricket Windies announced on Sunday (November 5). Sunil Ambris has earned a call-up and will replace Hope while the selectors have decided the retain the remaining players who defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the two-Test series in Bulawayo.

Hope has struggled in his short career so far with 43 being his highest score in nine Test innings. Ambris, who has played one One-Day International, struck two centuries against Sri Lanka A to earn the spot.

Courtney Browne, chairman of CWI selection panel, said Hope needs to churn out big scores in domestic cricket to come back to the national side. "Sunil has replaced Kyle Hope in the squad, and this is on the basis of his consistent performances across formats and his outstanding returns for the Windies A Team in the 'Test' series against Sri Lanka A," Browne said. "This type of consistency is very welcomed by the panel.

"Kyle is encouraged to return to the first-class championship and turn in the strong performances his talent suggests he can deliver."

Browne acknowledged the selection panel is looking to give the players a longer run. "It [series win in Zimbabwe] was a strong team effort and highlighted by those players that did not do as well as expected on the recent tour of England, playing critical roles in the team's success. Their success augurs well for the selection process and the philosophy of continuity, which has underpinned our selection for the tour of New Zealand, and not the chopping and changing mentality," he pointed out.

Windies start their tour with a three-day warm-up clash against New Zealand A in Lincoln from November 25. They'll then play the two Tests, starting on December 1 and 9 respectively, in Wellington and Hamilton. The series will be followed by three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.

Squad: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.

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