CRICKET WEST INDIES (CWI) Chief Selector Desmond Haynes has strongly defended the inclusion of Trinidad and Tobago right-arm spinner Yannic Cariah in the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia from Oct. 16 through Nov. 13.
Haynes also revealed that after discussions with coach Phil Simmons, hard-hitting opener Evin Lewis has been withdrawn from the Windies squad, having not always been available since the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Nicholas Pooran will lead the men in brown in his first World Cup as captain, with Rovman Powell as vice-captain.
The CWI selection panel confirmed the 15-man squad yesterday. Opener Johnson Charles has also been recalled, while the uncapped pair of Cariah and Barbados left-arm batsman Raymon Reifer have been named in the squad.
Notable names missing include; Fabian Allen, Andre Fletcher, mystery spinner Sunil Narine and all-rounder Romario Sheppard. And Jamaican Andre Russell was also dropped, a combination of not playing much for the West Indies in recent years and poor current form in the Caribbean Premier League.
The most attractive selection was undoubtedly Cariah, a newcomer to the T20 format. The 30-year-old’s last appearance in a major tournament for the West Indies was 12 years ago in the 2010 U-19 World Cup. Cariah is the least experienced player in the squad, having played just four T20 matches and making his debut only in ODI for West Indies against New Zealand last month.
“I think he’s pretty good,” Haynes said of Cariah. “I also think he can do really well for us with the bat as well, and I think he deserves the opportunity to go and play in this big tournament.”
Haynes continued: “I think Yannic showed us what he can do in the 50-over (ODI) competition. The captain is very impressed with him as well, and I think it will be a good opportunity for him to play in a World Cup”.
With Narine not in the squad, Haynes suggested Fabian Allen would have been a close miss with Cariah winning the reins of selectors. “We choose the person who can do the job and we believe Yannic is the best fit for the rotation position at this time,” noted Haynes.
The chief selector also revealed that Lewis had met with coach Phil Simmons and West Indies director of cricket Jimmy Adams before stepping down. Many have questioned his allegiance to West Indies cricket, given the notion that he favors playing in franchise international tournaments.
“Evin showed in the meeting that he is committed to West Indies cricket and I think we have to give people a chance,” explained Haynes. “Sometimes, we have to move forward and we have to really appreciate when people can come to us and explain the position to us, and if we agree, we give them a chance.”
Before the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, West Indies will take on hosts Australia in a two-match T20I series on October 5 at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast and on October 7 at the famous ‘Gabba’. in Brisbane.
West Indies are the only team to have won the T20 World Cup twice, in Sri Lanka in 2012 and India in 2016. Their campaign to win an unprecedented third T20 World Cup title begins on October 17, when they face Scotland in the first of three Group B matches played at Bellerive Oval, in Hobart, Tasmania, to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the tournament.
West Indies face Zimbabwe on October 19 and then Ireland on October 21, with the top two teams from Group B joining the Super 12s, along with the top two teams from Group A, which include Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands and Namibia. The top two teams from each Super 12 group will advance to the semi-finals on November 9 and 10.
Haynes added that because the squad is limited to just 15, it meant other good players would be left out. “We have chosen a mixture of youth and experience to represent the West Indies,” argued Haynes. “There are players who didn’t make the squad and I hope they will continue to work hard and perform their best in the CPL and the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup because you never know what can happen in case of injuries. or any other unforeseen. situation where we may have to call players as substitutes”, he concluded.
WI T20 World Cup Squad (15):
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
