Romario Shepherd replaces Dwayne Bravo for New Zealand tour

Fast bowler Romario Shepherd has been called upon to replace Dwayne Bravo for West Indies’ upcoming tour of New Zealand. The 37-year-old Bravo earlier suffered a groin injury while playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was subsequently ruled out of the T20 league as well and will undergo rehabilitation in Trinidad.

Bravo made his return to the Caribbean team after announcing his retirement back in 2018. In the last 12 months or so, he has suffered quite a few injuries. He missed the entire 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the Trinbago Knight Riders. Even in the ongoing IPL, he was out of the playing eleven for the first few games due to injury.

I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad: Dwayne Bravo

“I was really looking forward to the tour of New Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon in Sri Lanka back in March and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 World Cup next year. Unfortunately, the injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour,” Bravo said on windiescricket.com.

“I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment.”

In the meantime, Shepherd is looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands. He made his international debut in 2019 against Afghanistan. In January 2020, he forayed into T20I cricket against Ireland. In fact, it was DJ Bravo, who gave Shepherd his maiden T20I cap.

“This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands. I was in the team before, last year, and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game so I’m ready,” Shepherd stated.

#WIvIRE Today Romario Shepherd received his T20I debut cap from @DJBravo47. Congrats Sheppie!👏🏽 #MenInMaroon🌴 #ItsOurGame pic.twitter.com/C0DPwOWxUq

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 18, 2020

West Indies’ tour of New Zealand gets underway on Friday, November 27 with the opening T20I at Eden Park in Auckland. The Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will play hosts to the other two T20Is. Hamilton and Wellington are the venues for the two-match Test series.