The 14-man West Indies squad for the first two T20Is against India has been declared on Tuesday, July 23, where Sunil Narine along with Kieron Pollard have been included. In the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the team recently finished at the ninth position as they were able to win just two matches from nine. Team India Squad For West Indies Tour 2019
While Andre Russell has been also named or the tournament but he has to first go through a fitness test before the two games held in Florida. At the same time, Chris Gayle made himself unavailable for the series and instead of T20Is, he is going to feature in Canada’s Global T20 League. India vs West Indies schedule 2019
The last match played by Narine for West Indies in a T20I was held in September 2017 against England. On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble, who has played a total of 12 T20 games along with 46 List A games, has received a maiden call-up to the team that also comprises Khary Pierre and John Campbell.
Interim chairman of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel, Robert Haynes, said in an official statement, “This squad is an excellent balance of experience and youth,”
He added, “It’s not just about the present but we are also looking at the T20 World Cup coming up next year and it is important that we find the right combination of players and the right formula for defending our title. We have to make sure that we put certain things in place now so that when it comes to picking the squad for the T20 World Cup, it becomes easier, so we are giving more players the opportunity to play and get the exposure.
“We felt that players like Narine and Pollard, who have played well in T20 leagues around the World, once they are fit and mentally ready to play, we must give them the opportunity to represent the West Indies again.”
“We have been following his performances in regional competitions over the years and it cannot be forgotten that he led the West Indies ‘B’ Team to the GT20 in Canada, and that team did well to reach the Final,” Haynes said.
“We figured that though Nicholas Pooran will be the first-choice wicketkeeper, we needed to have someone to deputise in case something unexpected happens and he is a perfect choice. He is 27 and has a lot of ambition, and we saw his character come out the way he batted whenever Guyana Jaguars were in problems in the West Indies Championship and Super50 Cup, so we know he is capable of getting the job done.”
West Indies’ 14-member squad for first two T20Is against India: John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (Captain), Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble, Andre Russell, Khary Pierre.
The first two T20Is matches is going to be played in Florida (on August 3 and 4) and the final match of the series is going to be played in Guyana (on August 6) before the three-match ODI series as well as two Tests.
