West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell makes a return to the T20 side along with Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope and Fabian Allen as the board announced a 14-man squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. Shimron Hetmyer also returns to the side after he failed to make it to the ODI squad due to fitness issues.
Russell successfully completed the Cricket West Indies (CWI) return-to-play assessment programme in Jamaica under the supervision of the medical team while fast bowler Oshane Thomas recovered from a horror car accident. Fabian Allen also makes a return to the side after recovering from an injury.
Hope has also got an opportunity to prove his worth in the shortest format of the game. He has been scoring runs consistently in the limited-overs format, but he is often criticised for his slow run-rate. He has been included as an opening option and a back-up wicketkeeper.
CWI lead Selector Roger Harper explained how Russell made it to the West Indies squad again and also explained about the other selections.
“Russell is back in the squad, having been cleared by the medical panel and successfully completing CWI’s return-to-play protocol. Andre will add potency to every department of the team. Oshane Thomas appears to be focused and raring to go. He will add pace and penetration to the bowling unit.Shimron Hetmyer missed out on selection for the ODI squad. He has since attained the required fitness level, becoming available for selection and has been included.”
“I look forward to the team building on its recent performances and winning the T20 series in Sri Lanka. This is another opportunity for the team to build on its strengths and identify areas that need improvement while continuing the process of building-up with the aim of peaking for the T20 World Cup in October,” Harper said.
The two-match T20I series will start with the first match to be held at the Pallakele International Cricket Stadium on March 4. Both the sides have played one ODI so far against each other in this tour where the hosts clinched a thrilling victory by one wicket against West Indies.
T20I SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (c), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr., Kesrick Williams
