West Indies have recalled Evin Lewis to their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.
Lewis last played international cricket at last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, and had since missed out on West Indies’ squads for fitness reasons.
Over recent months, CWI chief selector Desmond Haynes and director of cricket Jimmy Adams had been critical of West Indies’ players – Lewis in particular – for failing to meet fitness standards, but Haynes now welcomed Lewis back to the team.
“We have selected a mixture of youth and experience to represent the West Indies,” said CWI Lead Selector Desmond Haynes.
“In the selection process, we have been cognizant of the ongoing CPL and we have been looking at the players who have been playing very well.”
“I said at the beginning of my tenure that I would be interested in giving players the opportunity and I think I have been consistent in doing that. I believe it is a very good team we have selected, and it is a team that will compete, given that we have to qualify from Round 1 into the Super12s.”
“There are players who did not make the team and I hope they will continue to work hard and perform to 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 situations where we might need to call up players as replacements.”
A surprise inclusion in the squad is Johnson Charles, who last played a T20I in 2016. Cariah, who recently made his ODI debut, was preferred over Hayden Walsh as the leg-spinner in the squad.
There was no place for Andre Russell or Fabian Allen, both of whom played the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE with the lead selector clarifying that Russell was dropped.
West Indies play Zimbabwe on October 19 in their first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in the first round. Scotland and Ireland are the other teams in West Indies’ group The top two teams from Group B will join the Super 12s.
West Indies are also due to play Australia in a two-match bilateral T20I series on October 5 and October 7 ahead of the T20 World Cup.
T20 World Cup squad: Nicholas Pooran (c), Rovman Powell, 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
I wish the selectors would clear the air on the non selection of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell since both men have indicated their willingness to play for the West Indies
When Russell and Narine clears the air on why they weren’t available for previous tours , then I would entertain the selection committee explanation for why they were left out. This is the west indies team not the make yourself available team when it benefits you.