Cricket West Indies (CWI) interim selection panel has announced the squads for their upcoming limited-overs series against Ireland and England.
The 2016 T20 World Cup champions will host Ireland in a 3-match ODI series and a one-off T20I starting at the Sabina Park in Jamaica. The tour will go on from January 8th to16th before England visit the Caribbean islands to play five T20Is from January 22nd to 30th.
Head coach Phil Simmons said, “We have tried to maintain the general make-up of the squads from the Pakistan Tour before Christmas, with the captain and some senior players coming back in. COVID-19 has also played a part in the final make-up of the squad.”
“The challenges in the next couple of months are getting the young players in both squads to not only improve on their skills but maintain the attitude and desire we saw in Pakistan,”
West Indies’ recent tour of Pakistan was marred by quite a lot of positive cases in the camp. The 3-match ODI series was cancelled because of a lack of personnel but Simmons hopes the team can put it behind them and focus on the challenges ahead.
“We do need to start the year on a high. And we know both Ireland and England have very good teams, so we expect a very strong challenge as we look to improve our chances of automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and building the T20 team for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022,” Simmons added.
Meanwhile, West Indies limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard has made a comeback to the squads. Pollard had missed the tour of Pakistan after suffering a hamstring injury. He has now recovered from the injury and will be fit to face Ireland and England. In his absence, Nicholas Pooran led the side in the T20Is against Pakistan while Shai Hope was set to lead the side in the ODIs before a postponement due to COVID.
Jason Holder is also back in both the ODI and T20I squads while Fabian Allen has also been passed fit to take part in the T20Is against England.
There is no recall for all-rounder Andre Russell. Obed McCoy will be unavailable as he completes his rehabilitation from a shin injury while Evin Lewis and Anderson Phillip are unavailable due to recent positive COVID tests.
West Indies ODI Squad versus Ireland:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas.
Reserves: Keacy Carty, Sheldon Cottrell.
West Indies T20I Squad versus Ireland and England:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice captain), Fabian Allen and Darren Bravo (England T20Is only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hoesin, Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Reserves: Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Devon Thomas.