West Indies selectors have made a stunning determination by recalling 35-year-old all-rounder Andre Russell, who has been absent from the West Indies squad for 2 years, in a 15-man squad introduced on Saturday for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 (T20) collection towards England, set to begin on Tuesday.
Along with Andre Russell, one other all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford, makes a return to the T20 Worldwide (T20I) format after a four-year hiatus. Quick bowler Matthew Forde, who not too long ago made his One-Day Worldwide (ODI) debut, is the only real uncapped participant within the squad.
Chief selector Desmond Haynes defined the rationale behind the squad choice. “This would be the last residence T20I collection for the West Indies in 2023, as they put together to be one of many two host groups for the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup within the West Indies and USA in June 2024. We have now chosen a squad that we predict offers us the very best probability of success in that event. We’ll proceed to evaluate within the lead-up to the competitors.”
Russell’s inclusion within the squad marks a big shock, contemplating his final look for the West Indies within the T20 World Cup two years in the past within the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Throughout that event, Russell’s efficiency was beneath par, with solely 25 runs from 5 innings and three wickets from 13 overs. West Indies struggled within the group stage, dropping 4 of their 5 matches and failing to advance to the semi-finals.
A solitary half-century
Russell has featured in 67 T20Is for West Indies, managing a solitary half-century, a median of 19, and a strike charge of 156. He has additionally taken 39 wickets with an economic system charge of simply over 9.
Rutherford, however, performed six T20Is after making his debut in 2018 however then skilled a interval of absence from worldwide cricket. He not too long ago made his return to the worldwide scene throughout the ongoing ODI collection towards England.
Matthew Forde, a 21-year-old quick bowler, caught the selectors’ consideration together with his spectacular performances, taking 11 wickets for St Lucia Kings in final September’s Caribbean Premier League and shining within the World T20 Canada with 15 wickets for Surrey Jaguars final August.
Within the T20 squad, ODI Captain Shai Hope has been named as vice-captain to Rovman Powell. The squad additionally sees the return of all-rounder Jason Holder and left-hander Nicholas Pooran, each of whom have been absent from the ODI collection.
First match on Tuesday
The T20 collection towards England will start with the primary match on Tuesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados, adopted by two matches in Grenada and one other two on the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.
West Indies T20 Squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
West Indies v England T20I Collection Schedule (Match begin time in brackets)
1st T20I – 12 December – Kensington Oval, Barbados (6.00pm native time/5.00pm Jamaica time)
2nd T20I – 14 December – Nationwide Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm native time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
3rd T20I – 16 December – Nationwide Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm native time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
4th T20I – 19 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm native time/3.00pm Jamaica time)
5th T20I – 21 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm native time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
Stadium gates open two hours earlier than the primary ball is bowled.
