West Indies will travel to Australia for the T20 World Cup without the services of one of its star all-rounders in Andre Russell, as the Windies power-hitter was not included in the 15-member squad, announced on Wednesday. Nicholas Pooran continues to lead the side that saw the return of Evin Lewis, while two uncapped players – Yannic Cariah (leg-spinner) and Raymon Reifer (batting all-rounder) have also been included in the squad.
West Indies will face Zimbabwe on October 19 and then Ireland on October 21 with the top two teams from Group B joining the Super 12s, along with the top two teams from Group A which features Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Namibia. The top two teams from each Super12 group will advance to the semi-finals on November 9 and 10.
Talking about the final squad for the coveted tournament, Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief selector Desmond Haynes insisted that the selectors paid significant attention to the performances in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) while finalising on the team Down Under.
“We have selected a mixture of youth and experience to represent the West Indies. In the selection process, we have been cognizant of the ongoing CPL and we have been looking at the players who have been playing very well,” said Haynes, as quoted by CWI.
"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. 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.”
{{/usCountry}}"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. 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.”
{{/usCountry}}Here is West Indies' full squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia:
Nicholas Pooran (c), Rovman Powell (v/c), 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