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Pooran, Russell, Hetmyer, and Akeal Hosein missed the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka last month due to personal reasons.
Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran are back in West Indies’ T20I team for first two matches against England. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Star wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran, all-rounder Andre Russell, batter Shimron Hetmyer, and spinner Akeal Hosein were included in the West Indies 15-member squad on Friday (November 8) for the first two T20Is of the upcoming five-match series against England. Pooran, Russell, Hetmyer, and Akeal missed the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka last month due to personal reasons. They are back in the side in place of Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, André Fletcher, and Shamar Springer.
The two T20Is between England and the West Indies are scheduled to take place at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday (November 9) and Sunday (November 10). After winning the ODI series with a scoreline of 2-1, the Men in Maroon would like to come up with a big show in the shortest format series as well and keep England at bay.
Star pacer Alzarri Joseph, who left the field in anger after getting into a heated argument with captain Shai Hope on Wednesday during the third ODI, will miss the first two T20Is after he was handed a two-match suspension. He has been replaced in the T20I team by medium pacer Matthew Forde, who won the Player of the Series award in the recently concluded ODI series.
“The T20 team is our most settled team with lots of experienced players. However, the difficulty will be picking the eleven, as every single player is challenging for a spot in the eleven. As we face a very good England team, I am confident that the selected squad will continue to play a brand of cricket that allows us to win games and this Rivalry series,” West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said in a Cricket West Indies (CWI) release.
Rovman Powell will continue to lead the side and will have ODI captain Shai Hope, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Pooran, and Hetmyer for support in the batting unit.
Roston Chase is the spin bowling all-rounder, whereas Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd are three fast bowling all-rounders.
Shamar Jospeh and Forde will lead the pace attack along with uncapped Terrance Hinds, whereas Gudakesh Motie and Akeal are two spinners in the squad.
West Indies squad for first two T20Is: T20I Squad: Rovman Powell (C), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
