West Indies announce 15-man squad for the World Cup; big players miss out!
The West Indies selectors have announced the 15-man squad for the World Cup which will be led by all-rounder Jason Holder. They have also decided to include destructive all-rounder Andre Russell in the squad on the back of his blistering form in the Indian Premier League. Russell last played an ODI match in July 2018.
There have also been some big name exclusions from the squad with the likes of Devendra Bishoo, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard left out. Alzarri Joseph who sustained a serious shoulder injury playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL also misses out.
WEST INDIES SQUAD FOR ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019 ENGLAND & WALES #WIAllin #MenInMaroon#ItsOurGame #CWC19
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— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) April 24, 2019
The Windies with their strength and depth in all the three departments will be a dangerous proposition for any opposition. Their batting lineup, in particular, is very impressive with Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis opening the innings. Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and Shimrom Hetmyer will make up a strong middle order.
The squad also has a core of world-class all-rounders with skipper Jason Holder, Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite providing pace bowling options. Fabian Allen is the fourth all-rounder in the squad and will also give them a spin-bowling option.
There is also a strong core of pacers with Oshane Thomas, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell and Kemar Roach being the four fast bowlers in the squad. Ashley Nurse is the only specialist spinner picked by the selectors.
Nicholas Pooran has also been included as the back-up wicket-keeper who could bat anywhere in the order.
In preparation for the World Cup campaign, West Indies will play a tri-series in Ireland which will also involve Bangladesh. They will also play a couple of warm-up matches against South Africa and New Zealand respectively, before kicking off their campaign against Pakistan on May 31 in Nottingham.
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer.
