ST JOHN’S – Left-handed batsmen Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer were omitted from the 15-member West Indies squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) Series against Sri Lanka.
Darren Bravo, the experienced left-hander, was been recalled along with Rovman Powell, the dynamic allrounder and Fabien Allen, the spin bowling allrounder, who has recovered from the leg injury he sustained in India late last year.
The squad was announced by the Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) selection panel yesterday and will depart the Caribbean on Saturday. They will have a pre-series camp in Colombo before facing the hosts in three ODIs.
Lewis was West Indie’ top batsman in the recent Colonial Medical Insurance ODI series against Ireland, but he and Hetmyer failed to reach the minimum requirements in recent fitness assessments.
“I look forward to the team building on its recent performances against Afghanistan and India in the subcontinent and against Ireland at home – playing consistent, smart cricket to win the series. Sri Lanka are a very good team in their own conditions. I do not expect it to be easy but our team has shown that it is very capable. These are the series we will have to win in order to move up the rankings,” said Lead Selector Roger Harper.
Darren Bravo and Rovman Powell owe their recall to their outstanding performance in the Colonial Medical Super50 tournament. Bravo brings good form, a renewed appetite for runs and lots of experience which will benefit the team tremendously. Powell who is back from injury, will add batting firepower to the lineup, increase the team’s bowling options and strengthen the fielding unit.”
Harper said both Lewis and Hetmyer would be missed.
The matches will be played at Sinhalese Sports Club, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota and the Pallakele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The ODIs will be followed by two T20 International in Kandy.
The squad for the T20Is will be named at a later date.
Full Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh.
Match Schedule:
February 17 – warm-up at P Sara Oval
February 20 – warm-up vs SLC President’s XI – CMCG, Katunayake
February 22 – 1st ODI at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
February 26 – 2nd ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota
March 1 – 3rd ODI at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
March 4 – 1st T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Match 6 – 2nd T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy