Cricket West Indies has announced their A team to tour Nepal. West Indies A is set to play a five-match T20 series in Nepal starting on April 27. This series serves as preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Roston Chase is set to captain a formidable 15-member squad, which features numerous established players who have extensive experience playing for the West Indies senior cricket team. Commenting on Chase’s selection as Captain, Dr. The Most Honorable Desmond Haynes, CWI’s Lead Selector, emphasized Chase’s consistent display of diligence and leadership skills. Dr. Haynes remarked,
“Chase has exhibited over the past few years an impressive work ethic and proven leadership qualities” He further noted, “No doubt since Chase made his T20I debut in October 2021, for the West Indies against Bangladesh he has continued to make considerable strides.”
This is the first-ever tour by any West Indies side to Nepal. To date, Nepal has participated in only one match against West Indies during the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe.
Commencing on April 27th, the historic series will conclude on May 5th, with all matches taking place at the TU Cricket Ground. This marks the debut tour of any West Indies team to Nepal, following the recent visit of Ireland Wolves, which was the first tour by any Irish side to the country.
Dr. Haynes further emphasized the significance of this squad stating
“I am confident this Nepal tour marks a crucial step forward in our preparatory phase for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It presents an invaluable opportunity to get our players who are not in the IPL back on the park playing competitive T20 cricket as well as provides the chance for us to expose a few emerging prospects.”
In preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, White Ball Head Coach, Daren Sammy said
“From a coaching perspective, the Nepal tour couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. It offers us a chance to refine our World Cup squad, defining roles and personnel more clearly. Additionally, with nine players in the IPL, we can truly gauge and push the limits of our T20 team’s depth.”
West Indies Squad:
Captain of West Indies A, Roston Chase is a very experienced campaigner. The 32-year-old has played 49 Test matches, 45 ODIs and 11 T20Is for West Indies. Destructive batters Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles are also in the squad. Both are very experienced T20I batters with Charles having a T20I century against South Africa.
The team includes promising young talents like Hayden Walsh, Keemo Paul, and Keacy Carty, alongside capable pace bowlers Obed McCoy and Oshane Thomas. In general, the West Indies A squad is quite robust, featuring a mix of highly experienced players and those who stay busy throughout the year in various franchise leagues worldwide.
Sqaud:
Roston Chase (Captain)
Alick Athanaze (Vice-Captain)
Fabian Allen
Kadeem Alleyne
Joshua Bishop
Keacy Carty
Johnson Charles
Mark Deyal
Andre Fletcher
Matthew Forde
Obed McCoy
Gudakesh Motie
Keemo Paul
Oshane Thomas
Hayden Walsh
The coaching and support staff accompanying the squad are as follows:
Head Coach: Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach: Rayon Griffith
Physiotherapist: Neil Barry
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Shayne Cooper
Team Manager & Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
Schedule of West Indies A in Nepal:
First T20 – April 27
Second T20 – April 28
Third T20 – May 1
Fourth T20 – May 2
Fifth T20 – May 4