On February 20, Cricket West Indies (CWI) released the squads for the ODI and T20I series against South Africa. The West Indies will tour South Africa for three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals beginning on March 16. The tour also includes two Tests, for which the squads were previously announced.
Shai Hope will lead the team in ODIs for the first time, with Rovman Powell serving as his deputy. Powell will lead the team in Twenty20 Internationals and will be assisted by recently chosen vice-captain Kyle Mayers.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been summoned for One-Day Internationals due to his phenomenal exploits in the Super50 Cup in November. Gabriel led the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force bowling assault and was tied for the most wickets taken during the tournament. In seven matches, he took 15 wickets at an average of 14.2. The 34-year-old has returned to the West Indies ODI squad almost four years after his previous appearance in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Lead Selector Desmond Haynes stated, about Gabriel’s inclusion in the squad, that as numerous bowlers are unavailable due to injury, Gabriel is the ideal bowler for South African wickets.
“There have been some injuries to our fast-bowling pool, so we see Gabriel as a perfect fit for South Africa and the surfaces we anticipate playing on.” It is believed that we need someone to take early wickets, and he is the type of bowler capable of doing so. “Based on his performance in the CG United Super50 Cup, he has the potential to be a wicket-taking option up front,” windiescricket.com reported Haynes as saying.
“We have an experienced squad for T20Is. We are seeking to develop a cohesive unit and are evaluating individuals who we believe can serve as the team’s nucleus as we work towards hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
In the meantime, left-arm spinner Obed McCoy has been added to the T20I squad, pending medical clearance. As he is recovering from a knee injury, fast bowler Jayden Seales is unavailable for selection. In addition, pacer Anderson Philiip is on the mend but has yet to regain match fitness.
West Indies ODI squad
Rovman Powell (vc), Shai Hope (c), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, and Odean Smith.
Rovman Powell (captain), Kyle Mayers (vice-captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, and Odean Smith make up the West Indies T20I team.
16 March: 1st ODI between South Africa and West Indies at Buffalo Park, East London
18 March: Second ODI at East London’s Buffalo Park
21 March: Third One-Day International at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
25 March: First Twenty20 Internationals at SuperSport Park, Centurion
26 March: Second Twenty20 International at SuperSport Park, Centurion
28 March: 3rd T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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