ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Veteran batsman Chris Gayle will not get his desired farewell from international cricket before his home crowd next month, as he was not included in the squad for the one-off T20 International (T20I) against Ireland at Sabina Park, Jamaica. He was also omitted from the T20I team for the series against England to follow January 22 to 30, 2022 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The 42-year-old Jamaican had indicated his desire to play one final match in West Indies colours in an international match at home, after the West Indies’ failed campaign at the T20 World Cup in October.
In the squad announced by Cricket West Indies (CWI) interim selection panel on Friday, Keiron Pollard returns, having missed the tour of Pakistan after failing to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained during the recent T20 World Cup, to lead the Caribbean’s One-Day International (ODI) and T20 sides in the white ball series starting next month, while COVID-19 has ruled two key players out of selection.
Fabian Allen, who has recovered from ankle injury, and Evin Lewis are unavailable for the Ireland series due to a COVID-19 positive test, CWI said. Anderson Phillip is also unavailable due to a recent COVID-19 positive test. Obed McCoy was also said to be unavailable due to rehab on a shin injury.
Left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer was not considered for selection after again failing to meet CWI fitness standards. Coach Phil Simmons expressed his frustration with Hetmyer’s lack of discipline.
This is the third occasion in the last three years that the talented Guyanese has failed to get a passing grade for the West Indies basic fitness requirement. Hetmyer was first left out of the squad in 2020, ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, and then again later that year during the home visit of the same team.
Simmons said that Hetmyer was not only letting down himself by failing to maintain the required standards but also the entire team.
“It’s the same old, same old. He did his fitness assessment in Guyana and he came way below the required mark,” Simmons told members of the media during a conference call today.
“Again, it is something that is heart-wrenching because you know that you are part of this team, and you have to keep a certain fitness to be part of this team and you keep letting down your teammates.”
Allrounder Andre Russell who opted to play in the Big Bash in Australia while the West Indies were playing simultaneously in Pakistan recently, has also been left out. Russell has come under criticism in several quarters over his commitment to West Indies cricket.
Meantime, Roston Chase and Justin Greaves who recently recovered from COVID-19 have been included in the squad.
“We have tried to maintain the general make-up of the squads from the Pakistan Tour before Christmas, with the captain and some senior players coming back in. COVID-19 has also played a part in the final make-up of the squad. The challenges in the next couple months are getting the young players in both squads to not only improve on their skills but maintain the attitude and desire we saw in Pakistan,” head coach Phil Simmons said.
“We do need to start the year on a high. And we know both Ireland and England have very good teams, so we expect a very strong challenge as we look to improve our chances of automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and building the T20 team for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022.”
The West Indies will start the new year at Sabina Park, Jamaica when they host Ireland in the three-match CG ODI Series and a one-off CG Insurance T20I from January 8 to 16. The two-time World Champions will then travel to Barbados to face England in five T20Is at Kensington Oval.
The CG Insurance ODI Series between West Indies and Ireland will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
SQUADS
ODI vs Ireland
Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas COVID-19 Reserves: Keacy Carty, Sheldon Cottrell
T20Is vs Ireland and England
Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice captain), Fabian Allen (England T20Is only), Darren Bravo (England T20Is only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr. COVID-19 Reserves: Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Devon Thomas
(CMC/WG)
