Kieron Pollard to lead Windies ODI, T20I outfits against Afghanistan in India

Sport360 staff 16:56 16/10/2019
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  • Pollard will feature in an ODI after more than three years.

    There was no place for Chris Gayle as West Indies named their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of India where they face off against Afghanistan in Dehradun.

    Having named Phil Simmons as the head coach for a second stint, the new selection panel for the men’s team rang in the changes for the ODI and T20I outfits which will both be led by Kieron Pollard.

    The performances in the just concluded 2019 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) ranked high on the selectors’ minds with leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. and batsman Brandon King handed maiden Windies call-ups.

    The two youngsters topped the wicket-taking and run-scoring charts in the tournament respectively and they have been picked in both the squads for the Afghanistan clashes.

    “My mind flashed back to when we (my brother and I) played in the yard with my father, and we were imagining what roles we would play in the West Indies team. Today, my dream is reality,” Walsh Jr. said on his selection.

    “These moments are what you work towards as a player. Was always a dream to represent the West Indies. I’m really excited to get started on the upcoming tour,” King stated on his part.

    Pollard, who last played an ODI for West Indies in 2016, is back in the squad as captain while Gayle’s future remains unclear after the veteran opener failed to feature in either of the squads.

    Gayle was due to step away from international cricket following the completion of the 2019 World Cup in England but the Jamaican went back on that decision midway through the tournament.

    The explosive left-hander featured recently in the ODI series against India in the Caribbean but his latest omission has thrown doubts over his international future.

    Meanwhile, Khary Pierre has earned a recall to the Windies squad for his recent performances in the CPL.

    West Indies are due to take on Afghanistan in three ODIs and as many T20Is with all clashes taking place in Dehradun. The visitors will also play a one-off Test against the Afghans with the squad being led by talismanic all-rounder Jason Holder.

    There was no place for Darren Bravo in the Test outfit with the left-hander being dropped for his poor displays in the home series defeat to India. Pacer Shannon Gabriel has been ruled out of the Test with an injury with Alzarri Joseph making his comeback in his stead after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

    Following their clashes against Afghanistan, West Indies will take on hosts India in three ODIs and as many T20Is. The squads for those limited-overs clashes will be announced later.

    West Indies Test squad

    Jason Holder (c), Shai Hope, John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamrah Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Sunil Ambris, Jomel Warrican, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph.

    West Indies ODI squad

    Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd.

    West Indies T20 squad

    Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kesrick Williams, Alzarri Joseph.

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