West Indies announce 15-member squad for 2019 Cricket World Cup

West Indies have named their 15-member squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup that will begin from 30th May in England. All the participating teams have announced their squads for summer’s mega event.

West Indies Cricket Board also considered players who did exceedingly well in the Indian Premier League while picking the final squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. All-rounder Andre Russell makes a return to the side after showing excellent form for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s competition. Pace bowler Shannon Gabriel has been included in the one-day squad. He last played his game for West Indies in 2017.

The new selection committee headed by West Indies Cricket Board Director Jimmy Adams was given the task to select the World Cup squad. Coach Floyd Reifer and Chief Selectors Robert Haynes were present at the press conference when the committee announced the squad for 2019 Cricket World Cup.

All-rounder Jason Holder will lead West Indies for ICC Cricket World Cup. Chris Gayle has named as deputy to Holder for the mega competition. Since his return to the limited-overs side this season, Gayle has accumulated 424 runs in 4 innings at an average of 106.

The 39-year old recently became the second West Indies batsman to score 10,000 runs in limited-overs cricket. Gayle has scored 10096 runs in 286 matches at an average of 38.38. He has smashed 25 centuries in his limited-overs career for West Indies.

The return of Andre Russell will bolster the batting resources for West Indies. All-rounder has shown excellent form in the Indian Premier League and scored 392 runs at an average of 65.33 for Kolkata Knight Riders. He also has bowled well for the franchise.

His last limited-overs appearance came in July 2018 and he was not selected for West Indies earlier this year due to fitness issues. With a month go to in Cricket World Cup, West Indies is set to tour Ireland to play a tri-nation series that will begin from 2nd May.

Opening batsman John Campbell did a decent job for West Indies during the one-day series played against England in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, pugnacious opener Evin Lewis was included in the World Cup squad due to his vast amount of experience.

Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Oshane Thomas, and Sheldon Cottrell are pace options for West Indies for Cricket World Cup. Ashley Nurse is the lone spinner included in the squad.

Nicholas Pooran is the additional wicket-keeper in the World Cup squad if anything injuries happen in the squad.

West Indies World Cup squad: Jason Holder (Captain), Andre Russell, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer