Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine have been included in the 14-man West Indies squad for the first two T20Is against India, it was announced on Monday (July 22). Andre Russell has also been picked but will have to undergo a fitness test before the two games in Florida.
Narine last played a T20I for West Indies in 2016 against England and has featured in the Windies colours just once since then – in an ODI later that year.
Also, wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble, who has played twelve T20 games and 46 List A games, has earned a maiden call-up to the side that also includes John Campbell and Khary Pierre.
“This squad is an excellent balance of experience and youth,” interim chairman of the selection Panel Robert Haynes said. “It’s not just about the present but we are also looking at the T20 World Cup coming up next year and it is important that we find the right combination of players and the right formula for defending our title. We have to make sure that we put certain things in place now so that when it comes to picking the squad for the T20 World Cup, it becomes easier, so we are giving more players the opportunity to play and get the exposure.
“We felt that players like Narine and Pollard, who have played well in T20 leagues around the World, once they are fit and mentally ready to play, we must give them the opportunity to represent the West Indies again.”
After the first two T20Is in Florida, the final match of the series will be played in Guyana before the three-match ODI series and two Tests.
West Indies squad:
Carlos Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble (wk), Andre Russell, Khary Pierre.
