West Indies will take on Bangladesh in the 1st T20I on Saturday (July 2) at Windsor Park in Dominica.
Windsor Park will be seeing its first senior men’s international action since the last Test of the series against Pakistan in May, 2017.
West Indies rung to the changes ahead of this First T20I against Bangladesh with players such as Evin Lewis, Dre Russ, Fabian Allen and Shimron Hetmayr missing out whilst all-rounder Jason Holder is rested.
However, Nicholas Pooran-led side are a different beast in the T20 format as pack a punch with power hitters such as Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, and Nicholos Pooran They can post a big score and chase huge totals with relative ease.
Also Following impressive performances in both the IPL and T20 Blast, Obed McCoy has been named in the squad and could make a significant contribution here, alongside Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul are among the bowlers making comebacks. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is the third spinner in the squad behind Akeal Hosein and Hayden Walsh Jr.
On the other hand, Recent history bears out that confidence as Bangladesh won both the ODI and T20I series on their last visit to the region in 2018.
At last year’s World T20, West Indies just managed to hold on for a three-run victory over the Bangladeshis, the only victory for the then title-holders at the main group stage of a massively disappointing campaign.
Nevertheless, Desmond Haynes, the outstanding former opening batsman and now chairman of selectors, is expecting the T20I and ODI teams to pick up from where the Test squad left off.
“I’m not going to be sitting here and talking about how we’ve turned the corner or anything like that,” he said.
“But I just want to recognize the success we’ve had so far and also the players who have been doing a good job for us.”
The match will be played in Dominica. The pitch out here is good for batting as the batters get value for their shots. Chasing has been preferred on this ground.
West Indies (probable):
West Indies have six spots open since their last T20I against India in February. Brooks, King and Thomas are likely to find themselves in the top six.
1 Kyle Mayers, 2 Brandon King, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell (vc), 6 Devon Thomas, 7 Odean Smith, 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Romario Shepherd, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Hayden Walsh Jr