Shannon Gabriel, the fast bowler, and Jonathan Carter, the middle-order batsman, were drafted into the West Indies squad for their upcoming ODI tri-series in Ireland. Meanwhile, Shane Dowrich, a regular member of the Test side, has earned his maiden ODI call-up. The 14-member makeshift squad that will take on Ireland and Bangladesh also includes the likes of Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase and Raymond Reifer.
Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph and Sherfane Rutherford weren’t included as they were allowed to take part in the IPL 2019.
“The selection panel consisted of interim Head Coach Floyd Reifer, Captain Jason Holder and interim Chairman of Selectors Robert Haynes,” CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams said. “They have selected a squad to Ireland that allows a slightly wider pool of players to get 50-over experience in UK conditions which I think is very important. This is not the World Cup squad, as a number of players are not available for this series as they are still participating in the IPL.”
Haynes, who bowled leg spin and played for the Caribbean side in the late 1980’s, noted that the squad was picked based on fitness and availability. “We are immediately implementing the new policy of having the best West Indies team selected based on availability, form and fitness. The pace attack of Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Jason Holder will only serve to enhance the performances we expect from the team.”
Gabriel, the tearaway pacer, last appeared for West Indies’ ODI side in December 2017. However, he has put up good performances in Tests, evidenced by the fact he now has 129 Tests scalps at an average of shade under 30. Ambris, who has played just a solitary ODI, shone brightly in the 2018-19 first class competition, ending up with 490 runs.
Reifer, the all-rounder, impressed in the Super50 one day Cup, composing 323 runs. He also made his presence felt in first class cricket, snaring 26 wickets at 15.69 for Guyana. Carter, who has already played 28 ODIs for the Caribbean side, is returning after a gap of nearly two years.
The tri-series featuring Ireland, West Indies and Bangladesh will commence on May 5 with every team playing against each other twice. The final will take place on May 17.
West Indies Squad: Jason Holder (c), John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Raymond Reifer, Fabian Allen, Ashely Nurse, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Jonathan Carter
