The Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies today named the Windies 13-man squad for Finolex Pipes T20 International against India which will take place on Sunday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
Making a return to the squad is Chris Gayle, who has been recalled after being absent from the line up for more than a year.
Chris Gayle
Gayle came in at the expense of Lendl Simmons, who scored 6, 17* and 15 in the series against Afghanistan, West Indies’ last T20 assignment.
Gayle last turned out in West Indies colours in the 2016 World T20 final against England at Eden Gardens. He is West Indies’ highest scorer in the shortest format with 1519 runs at 35.32, including two centuries and a strike rate of 145.49. He has never played a T20I at Sabina Park.
Ronsford Beaton
Cricket West Indies Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne said Chris is welcome back to the T20 squad. He is the most prolific batsman in this format and will add value to the team at the top of the order. He will get the chance to play on his home ground and against a top-quality Indian team.
According to Browne the squad has a good mix – experience within the batting and bowling – it is a well-balanced squad. “Again, this is an opportunity for the young players to showcase their talent and for the experience players to perform and help nurture the young players.”
Lendl Simmons
Also in the squad is fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who is yet to feature on the international arena. He was in the squad that faced Afghanistan but did not make the playing 11. With the track at Sabina Park known for its assistance likeness for the seamers then possibility of Beaton making his international debut is better than his chances when first selected.
Ever since winning the World T20 in 2016, West Indies have struggled to impress in the shortest format. Even against minnows Afghanistan they were challenged right down to the wire.
However, with the return of Gayle and the inclusion of most of their regular players a convincing performance is predicted in Sunday’s clash.
The squad reads; Carlos Brathwaite (Captain), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton and Kesrick Williams.
