Pollard returns to West Indies T20 squad

Barbados ,West Indies –West Indies all-rounder Keiron Pollard has returned to the T20I team as they announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against India beginning November 4. 

The 31-year-old will be playing his first T20 series of the year. 

Chairman of the selection panel, Courtney Browne, explained that they are looking to invest in players who have done well in the domestic cricket as T20 World Cup is just two years away. 

He further said that they would continue to retain their experienced players so that they can work alongside the younger group. 

“With the 2020 ICC World T20 two years away and the limited amount of T20 Internationals within the next year, the panel believes at this juncture it is time to invest in the young players that have emerged over the last two years from WINDIES A and B teams, along with 2018 CPL,” West Indies Cricket website quoted Browne, as saying. 

“The selection of a young group two years prior to the World T20 gives the coaching staff time to help them with their skills and for the team to develop into a cohesive and competitive unit. The team will continue to retain some experienced players who will work alongside the younger group,” he added. 

West Indies, along with the T20 squad, also announced a 15-member ODI team where they have named many uncapped players like opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, allrounder Fabian Allen and pacer Oshane Thomas. 

Browne explained that the team selection is part of their building up process for the upcoming 2019 cricket World Cup. 

He further revealed that attacking opener Chris Gayle has made himself unavailable for the India and Bangladesh tour adding that he would available for selection during the 2019 England tour. 

“As we continue our Cricket World Cup preparations, the upcoming tour of India provides a great opportunity to expose some of our young talent. Opener, Chandrapul Hemraj, all-rounder Fabian Allen and fast bowler Oshane Thomas will get their opportunity to showcase their skills, along with Sunil Ambris, who is returning to the fold,” he said. 

“We will be without our stalwart, Chris Gayle for this Indian tour and the next tour against Bangladesh as he has declined selection at this time, however, he has made himself available for the selection for the visit of England to the Caribbean and the CWC in 2019,” he added. 

India and West Indies are slated to play a five-match ODI series from October 21 to November 1. 

Following are the full West Indies ODI and T20 squad for the India tour 
ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Oshane Thomas 

T20I squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Oshane Thomas. (ANI) 
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