West Indies squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England was announced by the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Interim Selection Panel. The West Indies team will start the new year 2022 at Sabina Park, Jamaica as they host Ireland in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series and a one-off T20 International (T20I) from January 8 to 16.
The two-time ODI and T20I World Champions will then travel to Barbados to face England in five T20Is at Kensington Oval from January 22 to 30. West Indies will play three ODIs and a one-off T20I against Ireland, followed by five T20Is against England.
West Indies Selectors Tried To Maintain Make-up Of The Squads Fron Pakistan Tour With Skipper Kieron Pollard Coming Back: Head Coach Phil Simmons
West Indies come into this series after a 0-3 thrashing against Pakistan in the recent T20I series, while the three-match ODI series had to be postponed to June 2022 after a Covid-19 outbreak in the visiting camp.
“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,” Head Coach Phil Simmons stated in an official CWI release.
West Indies coach Phil Simmons said batsman Shimron Hetmyer is not only letting himself down but also his teammates as he has failed to meet the fitness standard forcing him to be overlooked by West Indies. Shimron Hetmyer has failed multiple fitness tests over the last few years which led to him not being considered for selection. Skipper Kieron Pollard feels the southpaw has to work harder to gain the confidence of the selectors.
“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,” he added.
The ODI series between West Indies and Ireland will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Evin Lewis, Anderson Philip, And Obed McCoy Unavailable
Evin Lewis and Anderson Phillip will be unavailable for the series due to recent COVID-19 positive tests. On the other hand, Fabian Allen has recovered from an ankle injury but is unavailable for the Ireland series due to a COVID-19 positive test while Obed McCoy is unavailable due to rehab on a shin injury. Darren Bravo has been named only for the England T20Is.
Kieron Pollard, who missed the Pakistan series due to a hamstring injury, has come back to lead, with Nicholas Pooran named his deputy.
ODI squad vs Ireland: Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas
COVID-19 Reserves: Keacy Carty, Sheldon Cottrell
T20Is vs Ireland and England: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Fabian Allen (England T20I only), Darren Bravo (England T20Is only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akel Hosein, Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.
COVID-19 Reserves: Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Devon Thomas