Windies name 18-man provisional squad for three successive T20I campaigns
Cricket West Indies has named an 18-man provisional squad for the side's three back-to-back T20I campaigns against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan. Kieron Pollard will lead the West Indies outfit which also sees the return of T20 stalwart Andre Russell. The big-hitting West Indian all-rounder last played international cricket in March 2020. The likes of veterans Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo are included.
Provisional squad will quarantine and train in St Lucia
The provisional squad will quarantine and train in St Lucia ahead of the first T20I series against South Africa starting on June 26. The final squad will then be selected and named ahead of each series. Russell is one of five new faces in the squad alongside Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas, and Hayden Walsh Jr.
West Indies' 18-man provisional squad
Provisional West Indies T20I squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr
WI have a busy schedule ahead
The Windies will play five T20Is against the Proteas after a two-match Test series. The final T20I will be played on July 3. Their next assignment is a five-match T20I series against Australia from July 10-17. A three-match ODI series will follow suit. WI will then play against Pakistan in a five-match T20I series, starting July 27. They have two Tests following the same.
Windies will aim for the maximum in these T20Is
With 15 T20Is on offer against these three outfits, West Indies will get a feel of the players and look for the right balance. The matches come at the right time ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year. WI have several powerful customers who are the biggies of T20 cricket and if they contribute consistently, there can be no better sight.
We have assembled a very solid squad, says coach Simmons
WI coach Phil Simmons feels the T20Is are crucial heading into the World T20. "These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup," he said. "We have assembled a very solid squad, with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket."
