Windies Pick Jamaican Trio for India ODI Series
Caribbean side aiming to get back on track after being outplayed in two-Test series by tourists
Jamaican trio Brandon King, Rovman Powell and Oshane Thomas have been named in the West Indies squad for the three-match ODI series against India that starts on Thursday.
Top order hard-hitter King is a vital cog for the Windies, who have been on a downward spiral for some time. Fast bowler Thomas has been recalled, while Powell plays an important role as vice captain to skipper Shai Hope. Left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer has also been recalled. Leg spinner Yannic Cariah and paceman Jayden Seales return following surgery, while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is back from injury.
The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados plays host for the opener and for Saturday’s second encounter. The final match will be contested at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday.
This series, which will be followed by a five-game T20I series, is a chance for the Windies to make amends for some recent dismal displays. Having recently failed to qualify for the ICC World Cup for the very first time, the Caribbean side narrowly lost the Test series to India 1-0 yesterday (24 July).
India romped away with the 1st Test within three days by an innings and 141 runs in Dominica. The woeful Windies were whittled out with ease for pitiful totals of 150 and 130 respectively.
The rain came to the rescue of another hefty defeat with the 2nd Test at Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad & Tobago washed out for yesterday’s final day.
Paceman Kemar Roach and slow left-armer Jomel Warrican each picked up three wickets as India reached 438 with aplomb.
In response captain Kraigg Brathwaite led by example, the opener scored a steady 75 off 235 deliveries as the Windies reached 255 all out with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj grabbing a five-wicket haul.
India then simply tore the hapless bowlers to shreds with a quickfire 181-2 declaration off just 24 overs, turning on the style because rain was forecast for the final two days.
With the Windies set a tough target of 365 runs to try to level the two-match series, they stood at 76-2 by stumps on the rain-hit penultimate day. Back in the pavilion were Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzieme (0).
Jamaica’s Jermaine Blackwood (20no) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (24no), who had a 32-run third wicket partnership, were the players ready to show some long overdue fighting spirit at the crease. Yet the pair were unable to take to the middle because of torrential rain.
The first session was washed out. The umpires scheduled the post-lunch session, only for the second session to be further delayed.
After the rain stopped and the covers came off, heavy rain suddenly returned and resulted in no further play to end in a draw with India deservedly clinching the series.
ODI SQUAD | Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas.
ODI SERIES | WI v INDIA
27 July | 1st ODI (Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados)
29 July | 2nd ODI (Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados)
1 August | 3rd ODI (Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad & Tobago)
TEST SERIES | INDIA WON 1-0
1st Test (Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica) | India won by an innings and 141 runs
WI | 150 all out (64.3 overs) & 130 all out (50.3 overs)
India | 421-5 dec (152.2 overs)
2nd Test (Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago)| Match drawn
India | 438 all out (128 overs) & 181-2 (24 overs)
WI | 255 all out (115.4 overs) & 76-2 (32 overs)
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