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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa, set to commence on August 24 in Trinidad. The squad will be led by regular captain Rovman Powell, with Roston Chase serving as his deputy.
Key players rested for South Africa T20Is
Notable absentees from the squad include senior all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder, who have been rested for the series. Alzarri Joseph, who was vice-captain during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, continued to be unavailable after missing the recent Test series against South Africa. Additionally, opening batter Brandon King is recovering from a side strain sustained during the T20 World Cup.
“Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder who played five back-to-back five Tests against England and South Africa. During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team,” said Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at CWI in his official statement.
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However, the squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of left-handed batter Alick Athanaze, who impressed during the recent Test series, and the right-arm pacer Matthew Forde, who also played in the bilateral series against South Africa scheduled before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Bascombe expressed his confidence in the selected squad, stating: “Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan. We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I’m confident in the squad we’ve selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success.”
Last week, South Africa named their squad for the upcoming T20I leg and will be high in confidence after clinching the two-match Test series (1-0).
West Indies’ T20I squad for South Africa series:
Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase (vc), Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
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