Five players in the test squad played on the T20 team, including fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.
As a 19-year-old, Joseph impressed Australian players during a 2016 net session in the Caribbean. Joseph will be making his first test appearance in Australia — the Caribbean side hasn’t played for the Frank Worrell Trophy for seven years Down Under.
“We saw him just bowling thunderbolts,” Australia opener David Warner said of the 2016 net session. “On those wickets . . . it was a bit daunting. We just didn’t know where he’d come from.”
Joseph debuted for the West Indies two months later and has taken 62 wickets in 22 tests.
“He was young back then. It’s good to see him evolve from then,” Warner told AAP. “He’s a fantastic bowler. He’s got a good record. I faced him in the IPL when he first came in and took (six wickets) against us.
“That’s what West Indies cricket needs. They need guys coming in bowling at high speeds . . . back to what they were in the ’80s and ’90s.”
The new stadium in Perth and the Adelaide Oval are expected to favor fast bowlers.
Holder confirmed that Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of West Indies legend Shivnarine, would debut for the visitors.
Meanwhile, Warner said he will reassess his future at the end of the test summer in Australia, with the opener likely to be the first of the current team to retire from red-ball cricket.
Warner indicated earlier this month he could retire from test cricket within a year and play on until the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 50-over World Cup is also scheduled for next year in India.
“They’re the whispers,” Warner said when asked if this might be his last test season in Australia. “I did make some comments, but these legs are still fresh. I’m still scoring runs. I’ll have to assess again at the end of the season and speak to the family.”
The 36-year-old Warner is on track to play in his 100th test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground beginning Dec. 26 against South Africa. In 96 tests, Warner has scored 7,817 runs at an average of 46.52 with 24 centuries and 34 half-centuries.
“I’m enjoying where I am at the moment, the training, the youngsters coming into the group,” Warner said. “It’s about helping the team the best I can, whether on or off the field. I enjoy that responsibility.”