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Pollard, Narine return to WI squad for India T20Is

July 23, 2019 09:32 IST

They have been named in the squad for the first two T20Is

Sunil Narine 

IMAGE: Sunil Narine. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Keiron Pollard and Sunil Narine made a comeback to the West Indies side as selectors of the team announced a 14-member squad on Monday for the first two T20Is against India.

Andre Russell has also been included in the squad, but he will undergo a fitness test before taking part in the T20Is.

 

The team will be led by Carlos Brathwaite. Left-handed opener John Campbell and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre have been included in the team.

"We felt that players like Narine and Pollard, who have played well in T20 leagues around the world, once they are fit and mentally ready to play, we must give them the opportunity to represent the West Indies again," interim chairman of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel, Robert Haynes, said in an official statement.

"It's not just about the present -- the India Tour of the West Indies -- but we are also looking at the T20 World Cup coming up next year and it is important that we find the right combination of players and the right formula for defending our title. We have to make sure that we put certain things in place now, so that when it comes to picking the squad for the T20 World Cup, it becomes easier. So we are giving more players the opportunity to play and get the exposure," he added.

The team recently finished at the ninth position in the recently concluded ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, winning just two matches from nine.

They will now take on India in three T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches.

The 3-match T20I series begins from August 3 in Florida.

West Indies' 14-member squad for first two T20Is against India: John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble, Andre Russell, Khary Pierre.

Source: ANI