Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel has named the 15-member squad for the upcoming CG United One-Day International (ODI) Series against England starting 3 December.
Shai Hope will again lead the team, with Alzarri Joseph named as the new vice-captain.
There are two uncapped players in the squad: batting allrounder Sherfane Rutherford and seam-bowling allrounder Matthew Forde – who has earned his first call-up at the senior international level.
The Selection Panel also recalled experienced wicket-keeper/batsman Shane Dowrich, who played his only ODI in May 2019; and opener Kjorn Ottley, who played two ODIs in January 2021.
Lead Selector, the Most Honorable Dr. Desmond Haynes, said: “We named Alzarri Joseph as vice-captain as he demonstrated maturity and good leadership qualities for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes during the recent CG United Super50 Cup.
We believe he could be a future leader in West Indies cricket with exposure and opportunities.
Matthew Forde is a whole-hearted cricketer who has been impressive. He is one of the players coming through the West Indies Academy programme who can form part of the future.”
Haynes added: “England on a tour of the West Indies is always filled with excitement and expectation. We expect this to be a hard-fought series, but we believe this squad will do well in our home conditions. We have a clear vision.
We are focused on building a solid team. Our main focus is to rebuild for success at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.”
The CG United ODI Series will feature three matches.
The tour will start with two CG United ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday, 3 December, and Wednesday, 6 December.
The first CG United ODI is a day game starting at 9:30 am with the second CG United ODI is a day/night game starting at 1:30 pm.
The tour then moves to Barbados for the third and final CG United ODI to be played at Kensington Oval on Saturday, 9 December.
This will also be a day/night game starting at 1:30 pm.
The West Indies squad will assemble for a preparation camp in Antigua, starting Monday, 20 November, ahead of the first match.
Head Coach Daren Sammy indicated that the camp is crucial to the team’s preparations to face the visitors. The camp will be at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and Coolidge Cricket Ground with net and planning sessions and fitness and strength and conditioning sessions.
“Everyone is fully aware of what is required as we prepare to face England on our home soil. The camp will be detailed, and based on specifics we have identified, it will be required to succeed internationally. We will have high-intensity, purposeful training sessions, and everything we do will be geared towards improving and winning,” Sammy said.
“I believe in preparation. When you prepare well, you give yourself the best chance of winning. When you do the hard work, the right kind of work, when you finetune your skills, that will add value to your game.” (CWI)
FULL SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas
NOTES
- Justin Greaves is unavailable for selection due to an injury he sustained in the recently concluded CG United Super50 Cup
- Nicholas Pooran is unavailable for selection as he prioritizes preparation for T20I format
- Jason Holder is unavailable for selection as he prioritizes preparation for Test and T20I formats.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Sunday 3 December: 1st CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 9:30 am
Wednesday 6 December: 2nd CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 1:30 pm
Saturday 9 December: 3rd CG United at Kensington Oval, Barbados – 1:30 pm
