West Indies name full-strength squad for first two WI vs ENG 2024 T20Is
Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced a full-strength 15-player squad for the first two games of the five-match T20I series against England. The series will commence on November 9 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Akeal Hosein have returned to the fold. Meanwhile, the selectors will unveil the squad for the remaining three games in St. Lucia later.
The quartet of Hetmyer, Pooran, Russell, and Hosein have returned after missing the previous series in Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. Matthew Forde has replaced Alzarri Joseph in the squad as the latter faces a ban for his on-field spat in the third ODI against England.
The Caribbeans are unbeaten in T20I series on home soil since 2023. However, they lost their last away series against Sri Lanka despite winning the first game of the three-game T20I leg.
West Indies squad: Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
"Every single player is challenging for a spot in the eleven" - West Indies coach
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy reckons they have selected the best squad that allows them to play the brand of cricket, keeping in mind the need to win. Sammy said, as quoted by the official website:
"The T20 team is our most settled team with lots of experienced players. However, the difficulty will be picking the eleven, as every single player is challenging for a spot in the eleven. As we face a very good England team, I am confident that the selected squad will continue to play a brand of cricket that allows us to win games and this Rivalry series."
The Men in Maroon had outplayed England in the 50-over leg to win the series 2-1.