West Indies announced their T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, with a few notable selection calls.
Pooran, Russell opt out of Sri Lanka T20Is
On Friday evening, Cricket West Indies announced their selections for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka which starts on October 13 with a three-match T20I series in Dambulla.
Rovman Powell will continue to lead the side in the shortest format, with Roston Chase as his deputy. The significant news from the announcement is that stars Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetymer, all of whom took part in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, have opted out of the tour for personal reasons.
Also read: Most T20 runs in a calendar year, full list: Nicholas Pooran breaks Rizwan's world record
Of the four, Hosein is the only one who was handed an international retainer contract by Cricket West Indies, who announced that list earlier this week.
Coach Daren Sammy said the upcoming tour will allow his side a chance to "test their depth and assess players in different situations," and remained confident in their ability to compete against Sri Lanka.
Trinidadian pace bowler Terrance Hinds has received a call-up, and could make his international debut on the tour. Seam-bowling all-rounder Shamar Springer, who has represented West Indies at the U19 level, has also been included after impressing in the Caribbean Premier League for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
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Teenage prodigy Jewel Andrew receives maiden senior call-up for ODIs
The squad for the ODIs has seen West Indies call up 17-year-old wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew for the first time. Andrew caught the eye at the U19 World Cup earlier this year, with a spectacular lone hand of 130 against hosts South Africa in Potchefstroom.
Read more: Who is Jewel Andrew, the prodigal West Indies wicketkeeper-batter picked for Sri Lanka ODIs?
He then went on to become the Caribbean Premier League's youngest-ever player in August, and smashed a half-century off just 30 balls in what was his senior T20 debut. His experience in senior cricket remains limited, with eight first-class matches and three List A matches played so far.
If he plays on the tour, Andrew will become West Indies men's third-youngest debutant of all-time after Derek Sealy and Garry Sobers. Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford have also returned to the ODI team, which will be led by Shai Hope.
West Indies: T20I squad for tour of Sri Lanka
West Indies: ODI squad for tour of Sri Lanka
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