West Indies star batter Brandon King has been ruled out of T20 World Cup due to a side strain injury. In his place, the team has brought in experienced left-handed batter Kyle Mayers.
Kyle Mayers replaces Brandon King in West Indies T20 World Cup squad
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 has officially approved the replacement of Brandon King in West Indies squad. The news came as a big blow to West Indies as they suffered the setback right before their Super 8 clash against USA, which is a must-win game for them. Kyle Mayers, a 31-year-old with experience in 37 T20 Internationals, brings power hitting and even some bowling ability to the lineup. This adds depth to the West Indies squad just in time for their crucial Super 8s match against the USA.
A blow to West Indies' T20 World Cup hopes came in the form of Brandon King's injury. King, who was in good form with a total of 86 runs scored throughout the tournament, suffered a side strain during the very first Super 8s match against England on June 19. This forced him to leave the field early, managing only 23 runs off 13 balls. Unfortunately, his absence was keenly felt as the West Indies went on to lose the crucial match against the defending champions. Cricket West Indies (CWI) kept fans updated on King's condition through social media. These updates confirmed the seriousness of the injury and the need for further scans. Despite traveling with the team to Barbados, the scans revealed that King wouldn't be able to recover in time to continue playing in the tournament.
"We are awaiting the results of the MRI scans from the CWI Medical Team. Everyone at CWI wishes Brandon a speedy recovery," CWI stated on X.
King's absence spurs change in West Indies' batting order
Brandon King's injury throws a wrench into the West Indies' batting plans. Team management now needs to reshuffle the order to find a suitable replacement opener. Shai Hope, with his prior experience at the top, is the frontrunner to partner Johnson Charles. This could push Shimron Hetmyer, another strong batsman, down to the middle order, potentially adding stability.
Crucial clash against USA
The upcoming match against the co-hosts, USA, takes on even greater significance. After the opening Super 8s loss, victory is essential to keep West Indies' World Cup dreams alive. Kyle Mayers' inclusion, known for his aggressive batting, brings a much-needed spark to the lineup. His dynamic style could be a major advantage as they take the field against the USA.
Updated West Indies' T20 World Cup squad
Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy
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