The Cricket West Indies selection panel today announced its 15-man squad for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with opener Evin Lewis the most eye-catching addition.
Lewis has not represented West Indies since the 2021 T20 World Cup after appearing to rule himself out – according to chief selector Desmond Haynes and coach Phil Simmons – by refusing to take a fitness test in the past 11 months.
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However, with the Maroon Men struggling to find a good opening partnership, Haynes recalled Lewis. It is uncertain whether the Trinidadian batsman has taken a fitness test.
“Someone like Evin Lewis, we all agree he’s our best one-day cricketer, he’s done so well for us over the years,” Haynes told commentator Ian Bishop, during CPL action between Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts and the Nevis Patriots today. “We had a meeting with him and he is committed to West Indies cricket – he told us he is committed to West Indies cricket and I believe he should be given the opportunity.”
There were other surprise picks in the form of wicketkeeper batsman Johnson Charles and all-rounders Yannic Cariah and Raymon Reifer.
Cariah, a 30-year-old of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, made his debut for West Indies in the ODI series against New Zealand last month. He has not played in T20Is while the last of his four matches in the T20 format was six years ago in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) competition.
Cariah, who was not contacted by any CPL team this season, has been named ahead of Hayden Walsh Jr.
“I think Yannic has impressed us from the moment we picked him for the A team,” Haynes said. “[…] We have a lot of faith in him – we think he is bowling quite well [he] can be played in T20 format. It is a bit unfortunate that he is not in the CPL [but] we have no control over this.
“We think he’s a guy who […] can do a job for us. I don’t think you can underestimate his hitting either.”
Ironically, Haynes advised Walsh to use the CPL to force his way back into the CWI selectors’ plans.
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“When we look at consistency, we don’t think Hayden is consistent enough,” the chief selector said. “We’re not writing anyone off because Hayden is someone we’ve invested in and we believe he still has a chance to play for the West Indies.
“Hopefully again he will be another one who will continue to do well in the CPL and give himself a chance to be selected.
In the case of Charles and Reifer, both earned places in the World Cup team on current form.
Charles’ last T20I was in December 2016. However, he is currently the second highest scorer in the CPL 2022 competition and he scored 87* off 59 balls at the weekend in a losing effort for St Lucia Kings against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
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Charles is expected to be supportive to inform West Indies limited overs skipper Nicholas Pooran.
Reifer, meanwhile, has batted for the Jamaica Tallawahs with 171 runs from four innings at an average of 57.00 and a strike rate of 143.69.
Reifer’s form meant there was no place for Romario Shepherd while Fabian Allen, who also missed West Indies duties due to “personal matters” this year, also missed out – after failing to dismiss Akeal Hosein.
Veteran Andre Russell, who also opted out of representing the regional team since the 2021 T20 World Cup, could not make a case for inclusion even in form. Haynes suggested he should be considered, despite his frequent international absences.
Russell’s best score from four innings in the ongoing CPL is 17.
“We had a meeting with Andre Russell earlier in the year,” Haynes said. “We are still not convinced. He is not performing as well as we would like to see him in [CPL] competition.
“I think in the situation with Andre Russell, we’ve just decided to go ahead and look for someone who is fit and doing well in the T20 format.”
Once again, veteran spinner Sunil Narine, according to Haynes, was not keen enough to represent the West Indies. His last game for the Maroon Men was in 2019.
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“Yeah, again, the captain (Pooran) told me he’s been in touch with Narine,” Haynes said, “but I’m not too sure he wants to play.”
West Indies Team: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith.
