Swashbuckling opening batsman Chris Gayle and fast bowler Fidel Edwards have been recalled to the West Indies squad for the three-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka next week.
Gayle, who last played for his national team in an ODI against India in 2019, has kept himself busy in T20 leagues across the world and featured in two matches for Quetta Gladiator in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) before flying back home.
“Chris Gayle has performed very well in recent tournaments and the selection panel thinks that he can still add great value to our team,” chief selector Roger Harper said in a statement on Friday.
Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Edwards will play his first match for West Indies in more than eight years. In 2015, he had signed a Kolpak deal with Hampshire and thus became ineligible to represent his country. But the UK’s departure from the European Union has ended Kolpak registrations in the county games, so now, Edwards is free to play for international cricket.
Also featuring for the first time in the 14-man T20I squad is left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who played in the away ODI series against Bangladesh.
All-rounder Andre Russell has once again been left out as he recovered from catching COVID-19 this month.
The Kingston-born cricketer was tested negative but have to complete the board’s return-to-play protocols before being considered for selection.
West Indies T20I squad:
Kieron Pollard (c), Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell, Fidel Edwards, Kevin Sinclair.
