Following the conclusion of their two-match Test series against Australia, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming Australia tour which is set to commence from February 2. Shai Hope will lead the charge in the ODIs, while Rovman Powell will lead West Indies' pack in T20Is.
West Indies are riding high off their impressive white-ball performance against England at home and are eager to carry that momentum forward. However, a notable absence across both squads is explosive batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who endured a dismal home series against England with a combined total of just 47 runs across T20Is and ODIs. Notably, Hetmyer was captain of the West Windies team, who won the 2016 Under-19 World Cup.
The T20I squad receives a boost with the return of star all-rounder Jason Holder and opening batsman Kyle Mayers, who opted out of the Test series. However, their availability extends only to the shorter format, as they join batters Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford on the list of players granted permission to participate in franchise cricket before rejoining the team for the T20I series.
Another notable inclusion is the return of leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. After an absence from international cricket since August 2022, his impressive performance in the domestic Super50 competition demanded attention. Finishing as the tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Sunil Narine, Walsh Jr. proved he's a force to be reckoned with once again.
"On the back of a series win against England, we are expecting our ODI team to be very competitive in Australia. We have some new inclusions, who have impressed over a significant period and a couple of returning players, who we think will have an impact," lead selector Desmond Haynes said."
"For the T20I series, this forms part of our crucial preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup where we are hosts. We are hoping to build on strong overall performances against India and England and to keep improving as we approach the major tournament," Haynes added
The West Indies cricket team is currently in Adelaide, fine-tuning their skills for the upcoming two-match Test series against Australia with a warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI. Led by skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies posted a solid 251-8 in their first innings before declaring, and took two crucial wickets before stumps on Day 1.
The series between West Indies and Australia will kick off the white-ball leg of the tour, with Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground, and Canberra's Manuka Oval hosting the matches on February 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Get ready for explosive batting, cunning spin bowling, and nail-biting finishes as these cricketing giants go head-to-head.
The shortest format promises no less excitement, with Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Adelaide Oval, and Perth Stadium setting the stage for the three T20Is on February 9, 11, and 13. Expect power-packed hitting, acrobatic fielding, and last-over drama as the Windies and Aussies battle it out for T20I supremacy.
West Indies' ODI squad: Shai Hope (capt), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
West Indies' T20I squad: Rovman Powell (capt), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.
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