West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against India due to an injury. Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed the news via a tweet, noting that Joseph will undergo re-evaluation before the white-ball tour of Bangladesh. He will be replaced in the squad by uncapped pace-bowling allrounder Johann Layne, 22, who has shown promise in domestic and A-team competitions. Joseph, who has played 11 Tests and taken 51 wickets at an average of 21.66, began his Test career with a five-wicket haul against Australia in January 2024. His absence leaves a gap in the pace attack that the Windies hope Layne can fill. Read also: BCCI announces 15-men squad for home Test series against West Indies Johann Layne to bolster pace attack Layne has played 19 first-class matches, claiming 66 wickets at an average of 22.28, along with 495 runs at 19.03. His domestic record includes four five-wicket hauls and three four-fors in red-ball cricket. Recently, he featured for West Indies A against South Africa A, scoring 62 runs across four innings and taking a wicket in each of the three innings he bowled. His standout performance came for the West Indies Academy in the last domestic first-class competition, finishing with six wickets against Windward Islands and a tournament tally of 27 wickets in six matches at an average of 15.88. Layne will join a pace unit comprising Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Anderson Phillip, alongside allrounder Justin Greaves. Spin options remain Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, and captain Roston Chase. The India Tests are scheduled to conclude on October 14, after which West Indies will play three ODIs and three T20Is in Bangladesh, followed by an all-format tour to New Zealand. Layne’s inclusion provides the team with fresh firepower as they navigate this demanding international schedule. Updated West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales