Cricket West Indies (CWI) on May 20 announced the interim captain for the T20I series against South Africa which will work as a preparatory series ahead of T20 World Cup 2024. Brandon King will lead T20 World Cup co-hosts against South Africa in the three-T20I series. He will be the 13th T20I captain for West Indies.
Roston Chase will be King’s deputy for the series. Chase was captain of West Indies A squad against Nepal earlier this month as King was withdrawn from the tour due to an injury.
Meanwhile, West Indies' T20I captain Rovman Powell is still playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 for Rajasthan Royals (RR). Among those who are in T20 World Cup squad, Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders), Shimron Hetmyer (RR), Alzarri Joseph (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Sherfane Rutherford (KKR) will also miss the series as their teams have qualified for playoffs. Even if their respective team doesn’t reach the final, they have been rested for the series.
Meanwhile Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants) and Shai Hope (Delhi Capitals) who will not take further part in IPL 2024 have been rested as well.
Matthew Forde and Kyle Mayers who were the notable omissions from the T20 World Cup squad will play in the series against the Proteas. They are likely to be on standby for the mega event. The T20I series is likely to see pace sensation Shamar Joseph making his debut in the format on the international stage.
“These are among the last competitive T20 International matches before the start of the World Cup. Players have the opportunity to fine-tune their skills and ensure they are as prepared as they can be for the World Cup, whether they are in the final squad or reserve pool,” lead selector Desmond Haynes said.
Head coach and two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Daren Sammy is confident of creating moment ahead of the marquee event.
“We have not played together as a team since the Australia series, but we just completed a very high-intensity training camp in Antigua. Now we have the chance to integrate some of our players returning from the IPL and build some momentum as a group going into the World Cup,” Sammy said.
West Indies’ T20I squad for South Africa series
Brandon King (c), Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mathew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh
The T20I series will commence on May 24. The entire T20I series will be played at Kingston, Jamaica, Sabina Park. The other two games are on May 26 and May 27.
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