After the successful Zimbabwe tour, West Indies will now visit South Africa for an all-format series. The leg will start with two Test matches from February 28, succeeded by three ODIs and as many T20Is from March 16.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced squads for the white ball series against the Proteas on Monday (February 20) and named Shai Hope as the captain of the ODI team. Notably, it would be the first time that Hope would lead the national side in a coloured jersey. Meanwhile, Rovman Powell will be the 29-year-old’s deputy in the 50-over format.
On the other hand, Powell will captain the Men in Maroon in T20Is and will be supported by newly appointed vice-captain Kyle Mayers in the shortest format.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been recalled by the selectors in the ODI set-up following his exploits in the domestic CG United Super50 Cup last November. He was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 15 wickets in seven matches at an average of 14.2. The 34-year-old last played an ODI for West Indies at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Talking about Gabriel’s re-inclusion in the team, chief selector Desmond Haynes said that since several bowlers are out of action due to injury, the former was the perfect fit for South African pitches.
“We have had some injuries to our fast-bowling pool so therefore we see Gabriel as an ideal fit heading into South Africa, and the surfaces we expect to play on. It is felt that we need someone to get those early wickets and he is the kind of bowler that can do that. Judging from his performances in the CG United Super50 Cup, he is potentially a wicket-taking option up front,” Haynes was quoted by windiescricket.com.
“For the T20Is, we have an experienced squad. What we are looking for is to form a cohesive unit and look at the players who we believe can form the nucleus as we build towards doing very well and challenging when we host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024,” he added.
West Indies’ ODI squad:
Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith
West Indies’ T20I squad:
Rovman Powell (c), Kyle Mayers (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith
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