The Prime Minister of Australia hosted the West Indies team in a special function on Tuesday night at Parliament in Canberra.
The West Indies are due to commence a four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI in the capital city at the Manuka Oval.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke in glowing terms about the relationship between Australia and the West Indies.
He welcomed the West Indies team to the country and said their upcoming two-Test series would be a feature of the “summer of cricket.”
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said his team was eagerly anticipating the encounter, which comes seven decades after John Goddard led the West Indies against Jack Fingleton’s team in 1951.
“This is a special occasion, as we prepare for the 70th anniversary of the Prime Minister’s XI against the visitors to Australia. Back then, in the earlier 1950s, it started with the West Indies team as well; when they played eight-ball overs here. Today, we feel special and honored to be back here to continue the wonderful tradition and carry on the legacy of the great players and pioneers who paved the way for us,” Brathwaite said.
“As I walked around Manuka Oval, I was intrigued to have a look at the placque on the wall with the history of this match. I realized that the match on the 1960-61 tour ended a tie – the same summer when West Indies and Australia played to THAT famous tie in the first Test in Brisbane,” the West Indies captain added.
Brathwaite said is an honor for him to lead the West Indies team in the match as they prepare for the day/night encounter.
“Cricket continues to be a unifying force around the world and we hope that over the next four days we can see another memorable match. I want to wish Josh Inglis and his team all the best as we both give of our best,” said Brathwaite.
The match against the Prime Minister’s XI is the final warm-up match for the West Indies team ahead of the 1st Test at Perth from 30 November to 4 December.
Full Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas
Full Tour Schedule
17-19 November: v ACT/NSW XI at Philip Oval, Canberra
23-26 November: v Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra (day/night)
30 November to 4 December: 1st Test at Perth Stadium, Perth
8-12 December: 2nd Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
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