AUS vs WI: West Indies Announces White-Ball Squads For Australia Tour; Shimron Hetmyer Omitted From Both Formats

West Indies cricketer Shimron Hetmyer has been omitted from both the ODI and T20I squads for the white-ball leg of the Australia tour. Shimron Hetmyer failed to make it to the West Indies squad following a disappointing home series against England last month.

Shimron Hetmyer scored only three runs in two T20Is and 44 runs in the three ODIs against England. In the last year, he scored a total of 68 runs in 6 ODIs at an average of 11.33. In T20Is, he amassed 105 runs in 7 matches with an average of 17.5 and a strike rate of 116.7.

The West Indies cricket team is set to take on Australia in a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series, commencing on February 2. Before the white-ball segment of the tour, the visiting team will engage in a two-match Test series against the Pat Cummins-led side.

Jason Holder And Kyle Mayers Return To West Indies T20I Squad

Shai Hope will captain the ODI squad, and Rovman Powell will be in charge of the T20I team. All-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who opted out of the Test series due to their T20 franchise commitments, have returned to the full-strength West Indies T20I squad.

Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford, not included in the ODI squad, are permitted to participate in franchise cricket before rejoining for the T20Is. The ODI team boasts two potential debutants top-order batter Teddy Bishop and wicketkeeper-batter Tevin Imlach.

All-rounders Justin Greaves and Kavem Hodge, along with Hayden Walsh Jr., have been recalled to the ODI team. Walsh, who has been out of international cricket since August 2022, made a strong return following an impressive performance in domestic cricket.

We Are Hoping To Build On Strong Overall Performances – Desmond Haynes

Lead selector Desmond Haynes emphasized the significance of the T20I series in the team’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, highlighting the goal of building a strong team as they approach the major tournament.

“On the back of a series win against England, we are expecting our ODI team to be very competitive in Australia. We have some new inclusions, who have impressed over a significant period, and a couple of returning players, who we think will have an impact,” Desmond Haynes said.

“For the T20I series, this forms part of our crucial preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup where we are hosts. We are hoping to build on strong overall performances against India and England and to keep improving as we approach the major tournament,” Haynes added.

The white-ball segment kicks off with the ODI series, with the first match scheduled to be played in Melbourne on February 2. The T20I series is set to unfold in Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth on February 9, 11, and 13.

West Indies ODI Squad: Shai Hope (capt), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

West Indies T20I Squad: Rovman Powell (capt), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas

Also read: IND vs WI: “When Your Friend Is Hurt…”: Ian Bishop Delivers Heartfelt Message After West Indies’ Series Win Over India