India made it clear in the first ODI against West Indies in Bridgetown on Thursday that they would take the three-match ODI series as a way to test their middle-order ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year.

West Indies have recalled left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowler Oshane Thomas for the three-match One Day International series against India beginning at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday.

West Indies reinforced their spin department by bringing in uncapped all-rounder Kevin Sinclair in place of Raymon Reifer for the second and final test against India beginning in Port of Spain on Thursday.

India attempt to extend West Indies' 21 years of misery when they meet in the lush tropical setting of Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica on Wednesday in the first match of a two-Test series.

Former West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said the team had reached their lowest point after failing to qualify for the 50-overs World Cup for the first time, but signs of their decline have been evident for a while now.

Hosts Zimbabwe and former champions Sri Lanka are in prime position to clinch the final two qualifying spots for this year's Cricket World Cup, while two-time winners the West Indies risk missing the tournament for the first time.

West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has slammed the team's fielding effort during their shock loss to Zimbabwe in the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers on Saturday, saying that they didn't deserve to win the match.

Pujara, a veteran of over 100 Tests, was dropped following a poor run of form after the 35-year-old scored only 211 runs in his last six matches with one half-century to his name.

The once mighty Caribbean side, who captured the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, are having to negotiate qualifying for a second successive tournament and will be amongst the favourites to reach the global showpiece in India later this year

The poor performances of the Caribbean side, who have slipped to 10th in the ICC's ODI rankings, mean that they must compete with six other teams for the two available places in the 2023 World Cup in India from October.

The two teams split the points which further damages Sri Lanka's designs on a place in the top eight of the Super League, who automatically qualify for the World Cup in India in October and November.

India and defending champions England are definitely in but former winners West Indies as well as South Africa and Sri Lanka could face a long, arduous road to reach the 2023 World Cup.

It is a second Test century for middle-order batter Bavuma in his 56th match. His maiden ton came against England at Newlands in 2016, and this one followed a pair of ducks in the first Test against a West Indies team he idolised growing up.

Temba Bavuma said he tried to "stay in the moment" as he approached a long-awaited second Test century. But he admitted that he could not entirely quell his emotions.

"The way world cricket is going now, apart from the big three, every team is barely playing any Test cricket," Holder said on Wednesday

Star Zimbabwe batter Gary Ballance was ruled out of the decisive second Test against the West Indies in Bulawayo on Sunday due to a migraine headache.

"To see Zimbabwe come back and force their way back into the game, and pushing for victory, says a lot about Test cricket," said Brathwaite.

Gary Ballance became only the second Test batsman after Kepler Wessels to score a century for two countries, reaching an unbeaten 107 at tea for Zimbabwe against the West Indies in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul made an unbeaten double century after setting a new West Indies record of 336 for the first wicket with Kraigg Brathwaite on Monday before the tourists declared at 447-6 in the first Test against Zimbabwe.

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has fond memories of the southwestern Zimbabwe city of Bulawayo where he scored 191 in a Test innings 20 years ago.