The West Indies have named a new-look squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with youngsters Ackeem Auguste, Jewel Andrew and Shamar Springer included in the team. The Caribbean side’s first T20 assignment since their early exit from the T20 World Cup earlier this year, the series will be played at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
There are few changes from the squad that played at the World Cup. Johnson Charles, Quentin Sampson and Jayden Seales are among the notable names to have missed out. Elsewhere, pace spearhead Alzarri Joseph was ruled out of the series as part of a policy to manage his workload and keep him fit for future international assignments.
Ackeem Auguste is back at 22 after nine T20I caps, with Jewel Andrew has made five T20 internationals as a former teen prodigy tripling down further at 19. All-rounder Shamar Springer, who played six times for West Indies in the format, also earns a recall as selectors aim to strengthen the balance of the squad.
The pace unit will be bolstered further by the return of all-rounder Shamar Joseph, who had left the ODI setup early owing to personal reasons, prior to the T20I games.
Daren Sammy, West Indies captain said: “This series comes as the start of a new chapter for us and I view it as really important that we come out on top. Southgate lauded the spirit and togetherness shown by the squad during the international tournament and said he has no doubt that the players are capable of adding to those displays. According to Sammy, the focus is still in building the team and with it delivering consistent performances that make West Indies fans proud.
Sabina Park will host the three T20s on June 11, 13 and 14. After the white-ball series, it will be a return to red-ball cricket with two Test matches to on Antigua.
Sri Lanka head into the T20I series with momentum after winning the prior ODI series 1-0. Weather intervened to play a significant role in the contest, with D/L method ruling the fourth one-day international washed away without a bowl being bowled and Sri Lanka taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in Chris Jordan’s 100th ODI.
