WI name squad for first two matches of ODI Series vs Ireland

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The selection panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday named the 14-man squad for the first and second One-Day Internationals of the Colonial Medical Insurance Series against Ireland. The day/night matches will be played at Kensington Oval on Tuesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 9. First ball is 1:30pm (12:30pm Jamaica Time).

There is one change from the squad which played the recent three-match ODI Series against India in December. Jason Holder, number one ranked all-rounder, number four ranked bowler in Test cricket and red ball West Indies captain, who played all three formats in India, has been rested with a view to managing his workload.

Commenting on the squad, Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector said: “The decision was taken to rest Jason due to the heavy workload he has had over the last year. With an important year ahead for West Indies cricket, we saw this as the best opportunity to give him a break to recharge his batteries and refresh his mind so he could be ready to perform at his best as our Test captain throughout 2020, as the number one ranked all-rounder in Test cricket and an important member of the team in the white ball formats.”

Harper added: “The Afghanistan and Indian series told me that the team is making very positive strides. Winning the ODIs against Afghanistan, our first ODI series win for five years, followed by the very competitive performance in against India is testament to that. The team demonstrated a determination to compete and gave it every effort. Against India the batting was consistent and while the bowling had its moments, it is clear that we have to improve our ‘death’ bowling. However, the fact that the team played in such an organised and competitive manner consistently augurs well going forward.

“This series against Ireland offers us the opportunity to build on the performances in India, build confidence as a team and for individual players. Just like the series against Afghanistan, the Ireland series is an important one for us, one we must win.”

The panel also named a 13-man CWI President’s XI squad to face Ireland in a 50 over warm-up match at the Three Ws Oval at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. This match will be played on Saturday, January 4. First ball is 9am (8am Jamaica Time).

West Indies Squad
Kieron Pollard (Captain)
Sunil Ambris
Roston Chase
Sheldon Cottrell
Shimron Hetmyer
Shai Hope
Alzarri Joseph
Brandon King
Evin Lewis
Keemo Paul
Khary Pierre
Nicholas Pooran
Romario Shepherd
Hayden Walsh jr.

CWI President’s XI Squad
Daren Bravo (Captain)
Sunil Ambris
Sheeno Berridge
Nkrumah Bonner
Dennis Bulli
Joshua DaSilva
Justin Greaves
Akeem Jordan
Brandon King
Yannick Ottley
Kieran Powell
Romario Shepherd
Oshane Thomas

Match Schedule
Saturday, Jan 4: warm-up vs CWI President’s XI – Three Ws Oval, Barbados
Tuesday, Jan 7: 1st Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Thursday, Jan 9: 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval
Sunday, Jan 12: 3rd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Wednesday, Jan 15: 1st Sandals Resorts T20I – Grenada National Stadium
Saturday, Jan 18: 2nd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts
Sunday, Jan 19: 3rd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park