West Indies dropped their premium batsman Shimron Hetmyer and Evin Lewis on fitness terrains from their 15-member team for the forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. Darren Bravo has been recalled into the squad along with Rovman Powell and Fabian Allen, the latter having fully recovered from the leg injury he sustained in India late last year.
Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector said that Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer missed out because they came up short in the fitness test. They will be missed, Lewis was the team’s best batsman in the recent Colonial Medical Insurance ODI Series against Ireland where he batted with great composure and proved the bedrock for the team’s series win. Hetmyer seemed to be receiving his act collectively and was an essential component of the team’s batting group.
Harper also said that the side is looking to build on its recent performances in India, where they beat Afghanistan 3-0 and went down 2-1 fighting against India.
Harper added that Sri Lanka are a very good team in their conditions. I do not expect it to be easy but our team has shown that it is very capable. These are the series we will have to win to move up the rankings.
Harper also said that Darren Bravo and Rovman Powell owe their recall to their outstanding performance in the recent Colonial Medical Super50 tournament. Bravo produces good form, a refreshed desire for runs and lots of knowledge that will help the team remarkably. Powell, who is back from injury, will add batting depth to the squad, improve the team’s bowling options and strengthen the fielding section.
The West Indies team will leave for Sri Lanka on February 8 and have a pre-series campsite in Colombo before they face the island team in three ODIs, beginning February 22. The ODI series will be accompanied by two T20Is, the team for which will be named later.
Full squad: K Pollard (C), F Allen, S Ambris, D Bravo, R Chase, S Cottrell, J Holder, Shai Hope, A Joseph, B King, K Paul, N Pooran, R Powell, R Shepherd, H Walsh Jnr.
