My teams for T20, ODI series against Sri Lanka
My teams for T20, ODI series against Sri Lanka
THE WEST Indies cricket teams, well white-ball teams to be specific, will embark on a tour of Sri Lanka in October, with three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals on the schedule.
The three T20Is will be staged at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla on October 13, 15 and 17, with the three ODIs set for October 20, 23 and 26 at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.
It is widely expected that both teams, which will be under the guidance of coach Daren Sammy, will field 15 players apiece.
Here is a look at the players whom I will select (as of September 25) for the T20I and ODI teams for Sri Lanka…
T20 INTERNATIONALS
The West Indies inflicted a 3-0 sweep over South Africa in a home series in August, with all the matches taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba.
The squad used by the West Indies comprised of captain Rovman Powell, vice-captain Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd.
Brandon King was recovering from a side strain suffered during the ICC T20 World Cup, jointly staged by the West Indies and the United States, in June.
Andre Russell, who made a U-turn on his intention to retire from international cricket, fellow all-rounder Jason Holder and experienced fast bowler Alzarri Joseph were rested, according to a Cricket West Indies (CWI) media release.
During the current Caribbean Premier League (CPL), not one player made an overwhelming case to displace any of those selected for the South Africa series.
If the WI selection panel decides that the 35-year-old Johnson Charles is not worth persisting with, the only battle-tested WI white-ball opening batsman in reserve is King.
To be fair, King has hardly played during the CPL due to injury, and when he has played, he has not set the world on fire. But he offers a reassuring presence at the top of the order, and he can indeed be an asset, on the spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka.
My WI T20 team for Sri Lanka – Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
ONE DAY INTERNATIONALS
The West Indies have not featured in an ODI since a 3-0 sweep, at the hands of Australia, in a February series Down Under.
That squad was made up of captain Shai Hope, and included 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 and Hayden Walsh Jr.
With the domestic one-day competition (List A) carded for late October and November – the Super50 Cup – it may be more feasible for Sammy to include a few players who are involved in the CPL, but whose skillsets could be utilised at the ODI level.
Ottley, who has not been seen since the West Indies Four-Day Championship, could make way for King’s return to the opening position, while Kevin Sinclair, the off-spinning all-rounder, may prove handy on the Sri Lanka pitches. He could be included at the expense of Bishop, who may be better off playing in the 2024 Super50 Cup.
Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh jnr has not lived up to expectations at the highest level, while fast bowler Oshane Thomas has totally fallen off the radar. Fast bowler Jayden Seales and all-rounder Shamar Springer could be given the chance to prove themselves in Sri Lanka.
My WI ODI team for Sri Lanka – Shai Hope (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Shamar Springer.
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My ODI XI will be King/Mayer(if King injured), Athanaze, Carty, Hope, Hetty, Rutherford, Shepherd/Springer, Chase, Motie, Alzarri, Shamar. I will carry Jewel as reserve keeper, enough evidence he has the steel in him to succeed.