Shamar Joseph Ruled Out, Layne Called Up

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of West Indies' two-Test tour of India with an undisclosed injury, Cricket West Indies confirmed; the Tests begin in Ahmedabad on October 2. Uncapped 22-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder Johann Layne has been called up as his replacement; Layne has 19 first-class matches, 66 wickets (about 22.28) and 495 runs. Joseph will be re-evaluated ahead of the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, which is scheduled to begin on October 18, but CWI has not disclosed the nature or expected recovery timeline for his injury. The loss is a blow given Joseph's 51 wickets in 11 Tests at an average near 21.66; the pace attack still includes Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves, and the squad also includes spinners Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre and captain Roston Chase.