Keemo Paul gets West Indies call-up

A hamstring injury has ruled West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell out of the remainder of the ongoing ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

Cottrell suffered the injury during West Indies’ first group game, against UAE, in which he bowled only 4.4 overs; he has been replaced by uncapped Guyana right-arm quick Keemo Paul.

Paul, 20, shot into the limelight during West Indies’ Under-19 World Cup victory in 2016, but their run to the title was controversial because of the fast bowler’s actions.

In their final group match against Zimbabwe – a game West Indies had to win to make the quarter-finals – Paul effected a mankad to dismiss the last wicket. In the final, against India, Paul hit the winning runs.

Paul has 82 wickets across first-class and List A cricket, with a bowling average of 17.35 and 21.32 in the two formats respectively. 

With two wins in two games – the second against Papua New Guinea – West Indies are currently second position in Group A, trailing Ireland by virtue of an inferior net run rate. The two sides will face each other on March 10 in Harare.