Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced their squad for the World Cup in England next month and Shimron Hetmyer is the lone Guyanese and to much surprise, promising all-rounder Keemo Paul was not selected.
Paul, who prior to injury during the England Test, was a constant face in the limited overs team and has risen through the ranks to be one of their better ‘death’ bowlers. He was a part of the squad that helped West Indies qualify for the World Cup.
Interim chairman of CWI selection panel Robert Haynes announced the squad during a media conference on Wednesday at the Sandals Royal Resort in Barbados.
The 15-member squad includes nine players that will be making their first appearance in the global showpiece, including emerging batting star Hetmyer, the captain of the West Indies Under-19 side that won its first-ever ICC Youth World Cup three years ago in Bangladesh, and the side is boosted with the inclusion of big-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell.
“Based on the new selection policy approach which allowed us to consider a number of players that have not regularly appeared in the side over the last two years, we had a wide base of talent from which to choose,” said Haynes in a release from CWI.
“There were a number of tough calls we had to make to settle on our squad of 15, including ensuring there was some continuity in the side, but we believe we have chosen a strong squad of players taking into consideration such factors as experience, fitness, team balance, current form and conditions.”
“In keeping with tournament regulations, we submitted our squad prior to the deadline date of yesterday. All players named for the Tri-Nations Series could, however, stake a claim to be in the final 15-member squad that will be submitted after the Tri-Series and before the final deadline next month.”
Gayle will be making a record fifth World Cup appearance for West Indies and needs just 253 runs to overtake fellow left-hander Brian Lara and become the leading batsman for the Caribbean side in One-day Internationals.
The self-proclaimed, “Universe Boss” is the headline act of a batting line-up capable of changing the complexion of any game with enterprising stroke-play.
Roach will be making his third World Cup appearance and Gabriel his first, and they will be hoping to transfer recent success in the longest version of the game into the ODI format to spearhead the attack.
Haynes noted that off-spinner Sunil Narine and emerging fast bowler Alzarri Joseph were not considered, due to finger and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Squad: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ashley Nurse, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Oshane Thomas, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis.
Preliminary Round Schedule
May 31: West Indies vs Pakistan – Nottingham
June 6: Australia vs West Indies – Nottingham
June 10: South Africa vs West Indies – Southampton
June 14: England vs West Indies – Southampton
June 17: West Indies vs Bangladesh – Taunton
June 22: West Indies vs New Zealand – Manchester (8:30 am EC Time)
June 27: West Indies vs India – Manchester
July 1: Sri Lanka vs West Indies – Chester-le-Street
July 4: Afghanistan vs West Indies – Leeds
