West Indies have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Netherlands and Pakistan, which will mark the beginning of Nicholas Pooran’s reign as white-ball captain.
West indies Batter Shimron Hetmyer who Playing For Rajasthan Royals (RR), rushed home last week to be with his wife, who was due to give birth to their first child.
But he has rejoined the camp and will be available for their next fixture against Chennai Super Kings on Friday, May 20.
Meanwhile, A report in ESPNCricinfo states that The 25-year-old cricketer from Guyana has decided to give-up the Pakistan and West Indies series due to the birth of his first child.
Hetmyer communicated via email the decision to the chairman of the West Indies selection panel, Desmond Haynes.
Addressing the press, Haynes said:
“We got the email from Hetty saying that he is unavailable for selection because of the birth of his child. That is all the information we received so we acted that way; we had considered him for selection and the note stated he was unavailable.”
The 66-year-old former cricketer also stated that Hetmyer still remains an integral part of West Indies’ limited-overs set-up, given that he achieves the minimum fitness levels.
Hetmyer, 25, was West Indies’ leading run-maker at the T20 World Cup last year, but instead has made headlines over fitness issues.
In December, West Indies’ head coach Phil Simmons said it was “heart wrenching” to see Hetmyer continue to fail to meet the fitness standards mandatory to make the cut for West indies.
That meant that Hetmyer did not play in the home series against Ireland and England and then was left out of the series in India.
But while announcing the squad for the India tour, Haynes had pointed out that Hetmyer remains part of the selectors’ “plans” subject to him reaching the minimum fitness levels required.
“What we need to do is we need to put our arm around these guys and let them know that we are interested in their development,” Simmons had said.
Also he added,
“To also [make them] understand that there’s a level of fitness that is required to play at international level. But Hetmyer is in our plans. There’s no question about it.”
All-rounder Jason Holder has been rested from the two tours to manage his workload, while Evin Lewis also misses out as he was unable to meet the CWI’s fitness criteria.
West Indies squad for ODI series against Netherlands and Pakistan: Nicholas Pooran (capt), Shai Hope (vice-capt), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
West indies side are scheduled to play three-match ODI series each.