West Indies appointed Test and ODI captain Jason Holder as the leader of the side for the three-match series against England instead regular T20 captain Carlos Braithwaite. The West Indies Cricket Board took the decision so that World Cup regulars can spend more time together under Holder. Braithwaite, however, held onto his position in the side.
West Indies will take on England in a three-match T20 series starting from Tuesday at Gros Islet. Chris Gayle’s name also featured in the 13-member West Indian squad. Gayle was adjudged Player of the Series for scoring two centuries and hitting 39 sixes in 4 ODIs.
The Windies decided to retain their ODI squad that played against England in the T20Is after discussion with coach Richard Pybus. “After discussion with the coach surrounding preparation for the ICC CWC 2019, it was proposed that we retain the ODI squad to play the T20 matches against England,” Sportstar quoted the chairman of selectors Courtney Browne as saying.
“After deliberations with captain, coach and the panel, we all are of the opinion that it would aid in the team’s World Cup preparations,” Browne added.
The hosts, however, received a blow in the form of Andre Russell, who was ruled out of the series with an injury. Russell had only regained fitness towards the latter part of the ODI series but was not considered for selection in the last two ODIs. He apparently had an adverse reaction to a medical treatment and hence was excluded from the T20 squad. Russell’s fitness would be a matter of concern for the Windies in the lead-up to the World Cup.
The five-match ODI series between the countries ended at 2-2 as the fourth ODI was washed out due to rain. The T20 series promises to be another high-scoring affair considering hitting abilities of both the teams.