The West Indies announced their 15-member One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka on Monday. The board left out power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer and opener Evin Lewis on fitness grounds.
Left-handed-batsman Darren Bravo has been recalled into the squad along with Rovman Powell and Fabian Allen.
“Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer missed out due to the fact that they came up short in the fitness test. They will be missed; Lewis was the team’s best batsman in the recent Colonial Medical Insurance ODI Series against Ireland where he batted with great composure and proved the bedrock for the team’s series win. Hetmyer appeared to be getting his act together and was an integral part of the team’s batting group,” Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector, said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Harper said that they are looking forward to the Sri Lanka series as their side seems quite promising. They had a good time in India and grabbed lots of learning experiences from there, which will eventually help the team.
“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,” added Harper.
About the inclusion of Bravo and Powell, Harper said that their recent performances in the domestic tournaments is the reason the duo has been picked for Sri Lanka ODIs.
“Darren Bravo and Rovman Powell owe their recall to their outstanding performance in the recent 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 added further.
The opening game of the three-match series will begin from February 22 at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The second contest will take place on February 26 in Hambantota, followed by the final match on March 01 in Pallekele.
West Indies squad for the Sri Lanka ODI series:
Kieron Pollard (c), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jnr.
