West Indies have named their 15-man squad for the upcoming India tour as they gear up for three ODIs and three T20Is in February. Experienced campaigner Kemar Roach has been handed a surprise call back to the ODI side while Nkrumah Bonner and Brandon King will also feature for the Caribbean outfit. The announcement comes just hours after the Indian team also announced its team for the tour.
The series will take place at two venues as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tries to avoid any potential threat of COVID-19 outbreak. Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium will host the ODI series whereas Kolkata's Eden Gardens will host the T20I series.
Kemar Roach returns to ODI side for the first time since 2019
The 33-year-old Roach has a healthy CV on the card and knows the Indian conditions well from his Indian Premier League (IPL) and previous tours. The veteran hasn't played a single ODI since Virat Kohli's blistering knock of 114 runs at Port of Spain in August 2019. So far, in 92 ODIs he has scalped 124 wickets for the national side and will be a big asset for captain Kieron Pollard. He also has 231 Test wickets and 10 wickets in 11 T20Is and is a constant feature in the West Indies' red-ball team.
“Kemar Roach is one of our leading fast bowlers and we believe we need bowlers up front to get early wickets, and Kemar, with an economy rate of five, is certainly good enough to play," Desmond Haynes, West Indies’ chief of selectors said.
The 33-year-old Bonner has also been put in the ODI contingent for the first time in over a year. Bonner last played against Bangladesh in January 2021, where Jason Mohammed's West Indies suffered an embarrassing 120-run defeat. He is yet to pick up an ODI wicket or score a fifty, having represented the side on just three occasions in ODI format.
On the other hand, an inexperienced King is also included by the selectors to aide the side against India. 27-year-old, King has represented the nation in four ODIs and 17 T20Is and is yet to show his true colours with the national side. His last ODI match came two years ago, playing against Ireland in January 2020 at St. George's.
“Over the last few years, Nkrumah Bonner’s cricket has come on leaps and bounds and we believe he should be given an opportunity to play in the 50-over format," the chief selector added.
West Indies Squad: Kieron Pollard (capt), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr
