Hope to debut as captain; Holder, Russell return for Windies T20 showdowns

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named the squads for two upcoming T20 International series: three matches against England from June 6-10, followed by three matches against Ireland from June 12-15.

The series marks the debut of newly appointed T20 captain Shai Hope, who will lead a dynamic and exciting squad. Notably, Jason Holder returns to the Caribbean T20 lineup after last representing the side in February 2024.

Andre Russell also makes a comeback for the England leg of the tour, returning from injury sustained during last year’s first T20 against England in Barbados. However, Russell has been selected only for the England matches and will not feature in the Ireland series.

Test captain Roston Chase will leave the squad after the England T20Is to join his red-ball teammates for the Test Series Camp in Barbados from June 13 to 21, ahead of the highly anticipated three-test series against Australia for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

Brandon King has been granted leave from the Ireland leg of the tour. Jyd Goolie, a standout performer in the inaugural West Indies Breakout League with his player of the match performance and a member of the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup team, earns his first senior team call-up as Chase’s replacement. In-form batter Keacy Carty replaces King.

Head Coach Daren Sammy as well as his assistants Floyd Reifer and Ravi Rampaul will also depart to join the Test Series Camp after the England leg of the tour, a strategic move as he prepares for his first outing as Head Coach of the Test team, alongside the newly appointed Chase, at the critical start of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle, where the Caribbean squad is seeking to regain its place as one of the world’s leading test playing squads.

The highly experienced Rayon Griffith, who has been a widely respected and admired staple of the coaching unit for many years, will take the reins as the lead coach for the matches against Ireland, with Donovan Miller stepping in to add support to the coaching staff. 

Squad for T20Is against England

Shai Hope (Captain)

Johnson Charles

Roston Chase

Matthew Forde

Shimron Hetmyer

Jason Holder

Akeal Hosein

Alzarri Joseph

Brandon King (Vice Captain)

Evin Lewis

Gudakesh Motie

Rovman Powell

Andre Russell

Sherfane Rutherford

Romario Shepherd

Squad for T20Is against Ireland

Shai Hope (Captain)

Keacy Carty

Johnson Charles

Matthew Forde

Jyd Goolie

Shimron Hetmyer

Jason Holder

Akeal Hosein

Alzarri Joseph

Evin Lewis

Gudakesh Motie

Rovman Powell

Sherfane Rutherford (Vice Captain)

Romario Shepherd

Team Management Unit for Ireland Series:

Lead Coach: Rayon Griffith

Manager: Rawl Lewis

Assistant Coach: Donovan Miller

Physiotherapist: Dr. Denis Byam

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ronald Rogers

Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne

Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram

Media & Content Officer: Jerome Foster

Match Schedule vs England:

June 6: First T20I, England

vs West Indies @ Chester-Le-Street, Durham

June 8: Second T20I, England

vs West Indies @Bristol

June 10: Third T20I, England

vs West Indies @ Southampton

Match Schedule vs Ireland:

June 12: First T20I, Ireland

vs West Indies @Bready

June 14: Second T20I, Ireland

vs West Indies @Bready

June 15: Third T20I, Ireland

vs West Indies @Bready