Test cricket on Shepherd’s radar

Romario Shepherd will be looking to grab any opportunity to move on to Test cricket with both hands.
Romario Shepherd will be looking to grab any opportunity to move on to Test cricket with both hands.

West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd could potentially stake a claim and fulfill his dream of playing Test cricket.

The 25-year-old was selected as a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo for the three T20Is against hosts, New Zealand next month.

But fortunately for the tall, well-built paceman, West Indies `A’ is poised to play two First-Class Four-Day matches simultaneously alongside the two Tests and, according, to chief selector, Roger Harper, those matches could serve as an audition for potential players.

Harper also noted that the `A’ team will comprise a few players from the limited overs squad along with the Test reserves.

“Yes I am excited,” Shepherd told Stabroek Sport when asked about the possibility of playing for West Indies `A’ in the two Four-Day matches.

“I have always wanted to play Test cricket so any opportunity for me to move on to the longer version of the game I will take it with open arms so if I am given the opportunity I would be thankful and go out there and show that I can perform in Four-Day cricket,” Shepherd said. Shepherd has been working closely with West Indies assistant coach, Rayon Griffith recently. The Berbician related that the training has been intense but satisfying especially after a lengthy period off the field.

While the right-hander has featured in five 50-over matches and two T20Is for West Indies, Shepherd has been instrumental in the Guyana Jaguars’ success in the Regional Four-Day tournament since his debut in 2017.

In his 23 First-Class matches, Shepherd has racked up 72 wickets, averaging 23.72 while with bat in hand he has chalked up three half centuries.

 In the prematurely ended 2019-2020 First-Class season, Shepherd played just one match and picked up two wickets. However, in the previous season the pacer picked up 37 wickets, the most by any seamer.