“It’s a good squad” – Haynes, as WI name T20 World Cup team

The International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2022 is set to bowl off on October 16, with the preliminary group stage, in which West Indies’ Men will have to compete for a spot in the Super12s. In anticipation of such, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named a 15-man squad and a few came as a surprise to many fans.

However, Lead Selector Desmond Haynes has it carefully thought out and shared his thoughts with former West Indian cricketer and commentator Ian Bishop on Wednesday morning.
For context, the T20 World Cup Squad reads: Captain Nicholas Pooran, Vice Captain Rovman Powell, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Raymon Reifer, and Odean Smith.

“I think it’s a good squad. I think it’s a situation where we considered the whole idea of having youth and experience, but I think I’ve been very consistent in my approach, after taking the job in January, I said I will give opportunities to players and I think I’m doing just that,” Haynes confidently told Bishop during the innings break of a contest between the Jamaica Tallawahs and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
He highlighted, “As you can see from the squad, we cannot have a competition playing that is sanctioned by West Indies and not select people or put people’s name up for selection in the CPL and I think that that is something that is very important when we look at Raymon Reifer, who’s done very well. Also, Johnson Charles, who at the time of selection had the most runs there.”
“I think it’s a very good squad. When you look at it, it’s pretty balanced,” the Lead Selector concluded.
What came as a shock to many is the selection of two uncapped T20 players in Yannic Cariah and Reifer, who have been called up for the ever-important assignment. Responding to Bishop’s probe, Haynes says it’s all about giving opportunities to players.

He explained, “I think that Yannic has impressed us, from the time that they pick him for the A Team, we gave him the opportunity to play against New Zealand in the 50-over competition and going to Australia, we’ve got a lot of confidence in him, we know he’s bowling well enough.”
“Bit unfortunate that he’s not in CPL, but we think that he’s a guy who we feel can do a job for us and I don’t think you can underrate his batting either,” the Barbadian national added.
Turning his attention to Reifer, Haynes commented, “Been consistent in every franchise he played for. You know, he went to Guyana, done well; he’s now playing for the Tallawahs, he’s doing well. He’s played for Barbados and he’s doing well. And he’s batted well again today, sometime you have to look at people who are making a great contribution for their franchises and you have to give them opportunities.”
He went on to add about Lewis’ return to the fold, “We had a meeting with him and he told us he’s committed to West Indies Cricket and I believe he should be given the opportunity.”
On the topic of exclusions, Haynes indicated that it was time to move on from Andre Russell, while the likes of Romario Shepherd just missed out.
“We look at it, we had a meeting with Andre Russell earlier in the year. We’re still not convinced yet, he’s not performing as well as we would like to see here in a competition. So, I think in a situation with Andre Russell, I think we just decided that we’ll just move on and look for someone who’s in form and doing well in the T20 format,” the Lead Selector disclosed.
“I’m not too sure if Narine is – I’m not too sure if he wants to play,”
He further added, “Tough luck on Shepherd again, another close call, you know, but what we’re hoping is these guys who missed out, that were pretty close, that they will continue to do well in the CPL. ‘Cause I mean, the World Cup is a long way from now and a lot of things can happen in the World Cup.”
According to the Lead Selector, his biggest expectation is for the team to fight.
“Soon as I see West indies fighting and they get beat, I’m happy with that, but I don’t want us to be in a situation where they give away games.”
“The people in the Caribbean love West Indies cricket, the people in the world love West Indies cricket and I hope that they would have the pride to do us honour and the glory in which some of our past players have done,” he shared.
The T20 Cricket World Cup will be hosted in Australia from October 16 to November 13.