Batter with ODI average of 49 earns captaincy as Cricket West Indies announce ODI and T20I squads for South Africa series

The Senior Men’s Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI) on February 20 (Monday) announced the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against South Africa. The Men in Maroon will tour South Africa to participate in a three-match ODI and a three-match T20I series. The series is scheduled to commence on March 16. Star wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope has been appointed as the ODI captain for the first time while Rovman Powell will lead the national team in the shortest format of the game.

Right-arm fast bowler Shannon Gabriel earned a national call-up for the first time in four years as he has been named in the ODI squad. Gabriel last represented West Indies in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. Seasoned all-rounder Jason Holder has also been named in both the ODI and the T20I squad.

"We have had some injuries to our fast-bowling pool so therefore we see Gabriel as an ideal fit heading into South Africa, and the surfaces we expect to play on. It is felt that we need someone to get those early wickets and he is the kind of bowler that can do that. Judging from his performances in the CG United Super50 Cup, he is potentially a wicket-taking option up front," Lead Selector, Desmond Haynes said.

"For the T20Is, we have an experienced squad. What we are looking for is to form a cohesive unit and look at the players who we believe can form the nucleus as we build towards doing very well and challenging when we host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024," he added.

West Indies ODI squad for South Africa series: Shai Hope (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith

West Indies T20I squad for South Africa series: Rovman Powell (Captain), Kyle Mayers (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith

The complete schedule of ODI 2023:

1st ODI: March 16 at Buffalo Park, East London

2nd ODI: March 18 at Buffalo Park, East London

3rd ODI: March 21 at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

The complete schedule of T20I 2023:

1st T20I: March 25 at SuperSport Park, Centurion

2nd T20I: March 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion

3rd T20I: March 28 at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (night)

ALSO READ: 

IND vs AUS: Gautam Gambhir dissects the similarity between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's captaincy

'There are families, kids watching': Shahid Afridi scolds Mohammad Amir for 'obscene' celebration but pacer ignores advice