ICC World Cup 2019 | Andre Russell selected in Jason Holder-led 15-member Windies squad
After his exploits for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Andre Russell has been named in Windies' 15-man preliminary squad for the 2019 World Cup. While Ashley Nurse found a spot in the team, Windies have not named any regular leg-spinners, leaving the pacers to do a lot of heavy lifting.
Russell played just one ODI since 2015 and now he has made a return to the team’s preliminary squad for the World Cup after his exploits in the Indian Premier League. However, there is no room for Kieron Pollard or Marlon Samuels. While Shannon Gabriel has made a comeback to the team almost after a two-year ODI hiatus, Evin Lewis and Kemar Roach were also included after sitting out for the recent series against England with injuries.
"I spoke to Andre a few days ago. He has a few niggles. He has some pain behind his knee but he assured the selection panel that he'll be okay for the World Cup," Robert Haynes, the interim chairman of CWI, said, reported Cricbuzz.
"He's scored a lot of runs and we'll be using him as a batting all-rounder," interim head coach Floyd Reifer said of Russell.
"He's doing very well in the IPL. We have got to manage his injuries and have three to four days rest between the games."
While Darren Bravo, Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer make up the middle-order, the squad is loaded with all-rounders like Russell, Holder, Carlos Brathwaite and Fabian Allen.
"Based on the new selection policy approach which allowed us to consider a number of players that have not regularly appeared in the side over the last two years, we had a wide base of talent from which to choose," Haynes said.
"There were a number of tough calls we had to make to settle on our squad of 15, including ensuring there was some continuity in the side, but we believe we have chosen a strong squad of players taking into consideration such factors as experience, fitness, team balance, current form and conditions."
Meanwhile, Alzarri Joseph, who was out of the IPL because of a shoulder injury, misses out from the tournament, but Oshane Thomas, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell and Kemar Roach are the fast bowlers in the squad with Nicholas Pooran being picked as the wicketkeeper.
West Indies will play a tri-series in Ireland with the hosts and Bangladesh, but Director Jimmy Adams said that the 15-man squad has been sealed and there was no intent to change it unless injuries force them to change it.
Squad: Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer