West Indies name squads for South Africa white-ball series, Shannon Gabriel makes ODI return

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the squads for the ODI and T20I series against South Africa on February 20. West Indies will tour South Africa for three ODIs and equal number of T20Is, with the series set to commence from March 16. The tour also includes two Tests, the squads for which were announced earlier.

Shai Hope will be leading the side for the first time in the coloured jerseys, while Rovman Powell will be his deputy. On the other hand, Powell will be leading the side in T20Is and will have the support of newly appointed vice-captain Kyle Mayers.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been recalled for ODIs the back of stupendous performances in the recently concluded Super50 Cup November 2022. Gabriel was the joint leading-wicket taker of the tournament while leading the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force bowling attack. He scalped 15 wickets in seven matches at an average of 14.2. The 34-year-old has returned to the West Indies ODI side after a gap of almost four years, having last played in the ODI World Cup 2019.

Talking about Gabriel’s inclusion in the squad, the chief selector Desmond Haynes said that since several bowlers are unavailable due to injury, Gabriel is the perfect fit for South African pitches.

“We have had some injuries to our fast-bowling pool so therefore we see Gabriel as an ideal fit heading into South Africa, and the surfaces we expect to play on. It is felt that we need someone to get those early wickets and he is the kind of bowler that can do that. Judging from his performances in the CG United Super50 Cup, he is potentially a wicket-taking option up front,” Haynes was quoted by windiescricket.com.

“For the T20Is, we have an experienced squad. What we are looking for is to form a cohesive unit and look at the players who we believe can form the nucleus as we build towards doing very well and challenging when we host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024,” he added.

Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Obed McCoy has been included in the T20I squad subject to medical clearance. Fast bowler Jayden Seales has been unavailable for selection as he is nursing a knee injury. Further, pacer Anderson Philiip is on his path to recovery but is yet to gain match fitness.

West Indies ODI squad

Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith

West Indies T20I squad

Rovman Powell (c), Kyle Mayers (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith

South Africa vs West Indies schedule

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