Windies T20 WC squad to be submitted before CPL, says Lead Selector Roger Harper

− backup wicketkeeping spot up for grabs

By Brandon Corlette

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which will bowl off today, Thursday August 26, will be important for those players who want to book a ticket to the T20 World Cup, which is set to bowl off on October 17 in UAE and Oman.
Cricket West Indies Lead selector Roger Harper has said that every West Indian player in the CPL will be on his selection radar. He is looking for 18 players, including reserves, to travel to the T20 World Cup.

“The squad will be selected during the CPL, because of the requirements of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The CPL is important. I think players have an opportunity just before the team is selected to remind us what they can do, and places are up for consideration,” he said.
“Players have an opportunity to stake a claim, so the CPL is very important. It gives players (opportunity) to get in competitive cricket leading into the World Cup,” Harper said during Tuesday’s Mason and Guest programme.
Captain Kieron Pollard had indicated after the Pakistan T20 series that West Indies have found what they are looking for in terms of selection of the 18-man provisional squad, but Harper has said players still have an opportunity to demand places in the West Indies T20 squad.

Nicholas Pooran is seen as the frontline wicket-keeper in the West Indies T20 squad. Andre Fletcher, who featured in the 18-man provisional squads that played South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, and had an inconsistent run, will have to perform early in the CPL to remain in that 18-man squad. According to Harper, the wicketkeeping spot is up for grabs.
“I will try not to get too specific with certain things, but I think there are a few areas that we will pay a little more attention to. I think (the) backup wicketkeeping spot we are still looking at. There are other areas as well. Players have an opportunity to say that they deserve a place in the (T20 World Cup) squad,” Harper said.
Fresh from a good run in The Hundred in London, Sunil Narine would want to break into the West Indies team. Asked if Narine is on the selection radar, Harper said: “He is in the CPL, we are watching him. All players are qualified for selection, once they are available.”
The West Indies, the only side to win the tournament twice, would also feature on the opening day of the Super 12s, as they kick off their defence of the title in Dubai against England, top ranked in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, West Indies captain Pollard said: “We are excited to begin defence of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title later this year. T20 cricket is dynamic, and the international scene is highly competitive, with players constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. We are expecting a spectacular event in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.”

West Indies T20 World Cup match schedule
October 23: v England at Dubai (6pm/10am Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica)
October 26: v South Africa at Dubai (2pm/6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica)
October 29: v B2 at Sharjah (2pm/8am Eastern Caribbean/7am Jamaica)
November 4: v A1, at Abu Dhabi (6pm/10am Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica)
November 6: v Australia at Abu Dhabi (2pm/6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica)