World Cup 2019: Gayle, Russell headline Windies squad; no place for Pollard, Narine

The squad was picked by the newly appointed interim selection panel, chaired by Robert Haynes, along with Jimmy Adams and West Indies' coach Floyd Reifer

The Cricket West Indies announced their 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup on Wednesday. While the veteran cricketers including Chris Gayle and Andre Russell were roped in, the board left out the experienced duo of Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine. Jason Holder will continue to lead the side and is also set to play his fifth World Cup. Among the youngsters, Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas have managed to grab the ticket to England. The squad was picked by the newly appointed interim selection panel, chaired by Robert Haynes, along with Jimmy Adams and West Indies' coach Floyd Reifer. Speaking about the squad, Robert said, “The selection panel looked at the skill set of the players and the combinations. We have looked at the wickets that have been used in England in the past, players fitness and their urge to represent West Indies. We came up with a balanced team who will represent the West Indies in England.”

BREAKING: @windiescricket name their #CWC19 squad! pic.twitter.com/Ca61nyDmc8

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 24, 2019 Gayle's opening partner will be Evin Lewis. Shai Hope and Darren Bravo are also in the squad while Nicholas Pooran is the back-up wicketkeeper.

Injured Alzarri Joseph has not been picked and the pace attack will be led by veteran Kemar Roach. West Indies squad for 2019 World Cup: Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer