West Indies Retain An Unchanged 13-Man Squad For The Third T20I Against South Africa

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced an unchanged 13-member squad for the third T20 international against South Africa. The third game of the series will take place in Grenada on the 29th of June after both teams took the honours in the first two games. West Indies has gone ahead with the same members as they look to build for defending their T20 crown later this year.

The first five T20Is of the West Indies’ home season forms a part of their preparation for the T20 World Cup, set to occur in the UAE later this year. West Indies will participate in other two five-match T20 series against Australia and Pakistan next. The Caribbeans delivered two contrasting batting displays in the two T20Is against South Africa so far.

The first T20 international saw the West Indies chasing down 161 with ease after a tidy bowling performance. Evin Lewis struck 71 off 35 balls opening the innings, while Chris Gayle, Andre Fletcher, and Andre Russell made telling contributions to shape a comprehensive win. But the West Indies choked in pursuit of 161 in the subsequent game as spinners George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi turned the game around by taking five wickets between them. The Proteas levelled the series with an 11-run victory.

The selection panel is happy to retain the same squad for the third T20I: Cricket West Indies lead selector

Cricket West Indies chief selector Roger Harper announced that the hosts would like to go ahead with the same squad. The former national cricketer revealed that with the series in balance, they would like to see how the players come together. Harper asserted that as there are plenty more games to come, more players will get opportunities to stake their claim for the World Cup.

“The selection panel is happy to retain the same squad for the third CG insurance T20I. With the series in the balance, we would like to give this squad another opportunity to display how well they can play together. We are aware that there are still a number of T20Is so there will be opportunities for other players going forward,” Harper stated as quoted by ANI.

Squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair.

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