WI vs NZ: Shimron Hetmyer And Keemo Paul Ruled Out Of ODI Series Against New Zealand

West Indies cricketer Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul will not be available for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against New Zealand, which starts on August 17 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Hetmyer withdrew from the series to tend to a personal matter while Keemo was ruled out due to an injury. Also missing will be Gudakesh Motie, who sustained a hand injury during the home series against India last month.

“Hetmyer has to attend to a family matter in Guyana. Unfortunately, Motie is not yet able to rejoin the squad and Keemo is struggling with an injury. However, it provides an opportunity for Yannic Cariah to get a chance.”

“He is someone that has been performing well on the regional circuit and we feel now is the right time to integrate him into the senior team set-up,” West Indies’ lead selector Desmond Haynes said.

The absence of first-choice players gives an opportunity to the youngsters on the bench, as confirmed by Haynes.

“We are looking to broaden the pool of players and we have decided to give Sinclair an opportunity. He has been in the system for a while and was also in the A Team to play against Bangladesh A in the upcoming series. We believe with his calm approach and skills he will do well in the matches against New Zealand,” Haynes also added.

A lot is riding on the series as there are World Cup Super League points at stake and Windies skipper, Nicholas Pooran, acknowledged that there will be pressure.

“The pressure has been on from the beginning to try and win cricket games but this team has been together for a while now. We knew that this series was for points.”

“The pressure, I don’t think we are looking at it from that perspective, in terms of we have to win and must get points, the guys know what’s at stake here and we know what we have to do to be successful,” Pooran said.

West Indies ODI squad:

Nicholas Pooran (capt), Shai Hope, Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair.

Also Read – We Are Lacking At Domestic Level Presently – Harmanpreet Kaur On Women’s IPL To Benefit Domestic Players