North India Statesman
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New Delhi, August 19 (HS). Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Sunday announced the team for the upcoming three-match home T20 series against South Africa. All-rounder Andre Russell will be out of the series as he has asked for some time for rest and recovery.
Russell, 36, was part of West Indies' run to the Super Eights during their home World Cup in June and most recently played for The Hundred team London Spirit.
Russell and Jason Holder, who have also been rested for the T20Is, will work closely with the CWI science and medical team. Alzari Joseph, who was the vice-captain of the West Indies during the T20 World Cup and missed the Test match against South Africa, will also continue to rest.
Opener Brandon King will also miss the series as he is recovering from a side strain he suffered during West Indies' Super Eights match against England in June. King has not played a competitive match since then. In his absence, Shai Hope could open the batting alongside Johnson Charles, while rookie Alick Athanase could also feature at the top.
West Indies white-ball coach Darren Sammy said in a CWI statement, “Facing a strong South Africa side is a great opportunity for our team to re-build and focus on our game plan. We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I am confident in the squad we have selected, and with an eye on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the players will be eager to show their hunger for success.”
Shimron Hetmyer, who did not play a single match in the 2024 T20 World Cup, has retained his place in the squad. Hetmyer last played a T20 match for the West Indies in December 2023.
Along with Athanase, all-rounder Matthew Ford has been picked with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind. Ford can swing the new ball and hit sixes in the lower order and has performed well under Sammy at St Lucia Kings in the CPL. Spin-bowling all-rounder Fabian Allen is back in the squad, having missed the cut for the T20 World Cup. He will strengthen the spin attack that already includes Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Moti and Roston Chase. Allen won the Lanka Premier League (LPL) with Jaffna Kings in July. The Tarouba Brian Lara Stadium will host all three T20s. The first match of the series will be played on August 24, the second on August 26 and the third on August 28.
West Indies squad for T20 International matches against South Africa-
Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Ford, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Moti, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
