West Indies drop Shimron Hetmyer and Evin Lewis for Sri Lanka ODIs

West Indies have announced their 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. They have dropped Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer from the side despite the fact that the former was leading run-scorer for the Caribbeans in the recent series against Ireland. The duo failed the fitness test ahead of the squad announcement and hence were axed.

The rest of the squad is the same while Darren Bravo and Rovman Powell have earned a recall to the side replacing Lewis and Hetmyer. Bravo scored 481 runs at an average of 96.20 in the Super50 Cup while Powell also racked up 412 runs at a strike-rate of 160.93 for Jamaica which led to them coming back in the reckoning.

Cricket West Indies confirmed the reason for dropping Evin Lewis and Hetmyer in a press release which stated that they ‘failed to attain the new minimum standard fitness requirements in recent fitness assessments.’ Fabian Allen who missed the India series due to an injury is also in the squad and the team is expected to depart for Colombo on Saturday.

I look forward to the team building on its recent performances: CWI selector

The CWI’s lead selector Roger Harper was disappointed that they had to leave out two of the established players in the squad and also said that the duo will be missed on the tour. However, he seemed excited about the squad picked and hoped that the team continues to improve after impressing against Afghanistan and India on their away tour.

“Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer missed out due to the fact that they came up short in the fitness test. They will be missed. Lewis was the team’s best batsman in the recent series against Ireland where he batted with great composure and proved the bedrock for the team’s series win. Hetmyer appeared to be getting his act together and was an integral part of the team’s batting group.

“I look forward to the team building on its recent performances against Afghanistan and India in the subcontinent and against Ireland at home – playing consistent, smart cricket to win the series. Sri Lanka are a very good team in their own conditions. I do not expect it to be easy but our team has shown that it is very capable,” he said.

The ODI series between West Indies and Sri Lanka is set to begin on February 22 even as the visitors are slated to play a practice game on February 20 in Katunayake.

West Indies squad for Sri Lanka series: Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicolas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.