St John’s – World renowned all-rounder Andre Russell was overlooked for selection for the West Indies squad to the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, starting next month in Australia.
But left-handed opener Evin Lewis was recalled after nearly a year of not representing the Caribbean side, and two uncapped players – leg-spin bowling all-rounder Yannic Cariah and left-handed all-rounder Raymon Reifer – have also been named in the 15-member squad announced on Wednesday.
CWI’s lead selector, The Most Honourable Desmond Haynes said they went with a mix of youth and experience for the World Cup, which will be played from October 16 to November 13, and they had looked at the players who were doing well in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
“I said at the beginning of my tenure that I would be interested in giving players the opportunity, and I think I have been consistent in doing that,” Haynes said. “I believe it is a very good team we have selected, and it is a team that will compete, given that we have to qualify from Round 1 into the Super12s.”
“There are players who did not make the team, and I hope they will continue to work hard and perform to their best in the CPL and the upcoming Super50 Cup because you never know what can happen in case of injuries or any other unforeseen situations where we might need to call up players as replacements.”
Before the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, West Indies will meet Australia in a two-match bilateral series on October 5 at the Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, and on October 7 at the historical Gabba in Brisbane.
Squad:
Nicholas Pooran (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith.
(CMC)