Bridgetown, July 25, 2023 – The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel has unveiled the 15-member squad for the eagerly awaited CG United One Day International (ODI) Series powered by YES BANK against India. The thrilling three-match series will kick off on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the iconic Kensington Oval.
The squad composition comes after an intense four-day camp held at Kensington Oval, which aimed to prepare the white-ball players for the upcoming CG United ODI Series and the subsequent five-match T20I Series.
The selection panel has taken some strategic decisions for this crucial series, which includes recalling left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowler Oshane Thomas. Both players boast prior experience at the international level and are expected to add depth and skill to the West Indies lineup. Oshane Thomas’ searing pace and potential to claim early wickets make him a valuable asset, while Shimron Hetmyer’s aggressive middle-order batting style could prove vital during critical stages of the innings, potentially serving as a match-winning “finisher.”
Their most experienced players Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder were unavailable for selection and all rounder Keemo Paul is suffering from injury hence misses out.
Additionally, the West Indies team will benefit from the inclusion of fast bowler Jayden Seales and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah, both of whom have successfully completed rehabilitation following surgery. Also, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has been included in the squad after making a full recovery from an injury, further bolstering the team’s spin-bowling options.
Lead Selector, The Most Hon. Dr. Desmond Haynes expressed his satisfaction with the squad selections, stating, “We welcome Oshane and Shimron back into the group. Both have played at the international level before, with some success, and we believe they will fit well into the set-up. Oshane brings pace and is a potential wicket-taker with the new ball. Shimron’s style of batting will offer a lot, especially in the middle stage of the innings, and he is also a potential ‘finisher’.”
Cricket enthusiasts in the Caribbean are eagerly anticipating the series, with the first two matches scheduled to be hosted at Kensington Oval on July 27th and July 29th. The action then shifts to the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad for the third and final CG United ODI, slated for August 1st. All matches are set to commence at 9.30am local time (8.30am Jamaica time), promising captivating encounters between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Tickets for the CG United ODI Series can be obtained from box offices at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown and Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, as well as the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad, starting from Monday, July 24th. Additionally, cricket enthusiasts have the convenience of purchasing tickets online in advance via the Windies Tickets service, presented by Mastercard, offering a generous 20% discount compared to box office prices. The tickets cater to varying preferences, ranging from premium seats with excellent, shaded views to more affordable standard seats or mounds/grounds entry.
West Indies Full Squad:
Shai Hope (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas
Backup Players:
Dennis Bulli, Roston Chase, McKenny Clarke, Kavem Hodge, Jair McCallister, Obed McCoy, Kevin Wickham
