New Delhi, October 5 (HS). Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Akeal Hosein have withdrawn from the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. Opener Evin Lewis, who last played T20 International during the World Cup in 2022, has returned to the team. Lewis has also been selected for the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour.
Brandon King also returned to the T20 International squad after recovering from a side injury that had caused him to miss the T20 World Cup and CPL 2024 earlier this season. In Russell's absence, West Indies have included Trinbago Knight Riders teammate Terrence Hinds and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' Shamar Springer in the squad.
Rovman Powell will continue to lead the T20 side, while Roston Chase, who earned the West Indies central contract earlier this week, has been retained as his deputy. Lewis has returned following a revamp of the selection system and coach Darren Sammy now leading the panel.
“The tour of Sri Lanka gives us an opportunity to test our depth and assess players in different conditions, especially with many senior players remaining out of the team due to the need for rest and rehabilitation from injury,” Sammy said in a CWI statement. Are. We are confident in the team's ability to compete strongly against Sri Lanka.”
Jewel Andrew included in West Indies ODI squad
Seventeen-year-old Jewel Andrew has been included in West Indies' ODI squad for the three-match series in Pallekele. He could become the youngest West Indian to make his ODI debut; Only Derek Seely and Gary Sobers made their international debut for the West Indies at the age of 17.
Andrew has only played three List A games and seven CPL matches so far, but his performances have already caught the attention of some of West Indies' top players, including Viv Richards, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Ian Bishop .
The youngest player ever to feature in the CPL, Andrew made his debut by scoring an unbeaten 50 against a St Kitts & Nevis Patriots attack that included internationals like Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi.
West Indies T20 team
Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaz, Andre Fletcher, Terrence Hinds, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Moti, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.
West Indies' white-ball tour of Sri Lanka will begin from October 13 and continue till October 26.
West Indies ODI team
Shai Hope (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Jewel Andrew, Alec Athanaz, Casey Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Moti, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.