West Indies selectors have made a surprising decision by recalling 35-year-old all-rounder Andre Russell, who has been absent from the West Indies squad for two years, in a 15-man squad announced on Saturday for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 (T20) series against England, set to commence on Tuesday.
In addition to Andre Russell, another all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford, makes a return to the T20 International (T20I) format after a four-year hiatus. Fast bowler Matthew Forde, who recently made his One-Day International (ODI) debut, is the sole uncapped player in the squad.
Chief selector Desmond Haynes explained the rationale behind the squad selection. “This will be the final home T20I series for the West Indies in 2023, as they prepare to be one of the two host teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024. We have selected a squad that we think gives us the best chance of success in that tournament. We will continue to assess in the lead-up to the competition.”
Russell’s inclusion in the squad marks a significant surprise, considering his last appearance for the West Indies in the T20 World Cup two years ago in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. During that tournament, Russell’s performance was below par, with only 25 runs from five innings and three wickets from 13 overs. West Indies struggled in the group stage, losing four of their five matches and failing to advance to the semi-finals.
A solitary half-century
Russell has featured in 67 T20Is for West Indies, managing a solitary half-century, an average of 19, and a strike rate of 156. He has also taken 39 wickets with an economy rate of just over nine.
Rutherford, on the other hand, played six T20Is after making his debut in 2018 but then experienced a period of absence from international cricket. He recently made his return to the international scene during the ongoing ODI series against England.
Matthew Forde, a 21-year-old fast bowler, caught the selectors’ attention with his impressive performances, taking 11 wickets for St Lucia Kings in last September’s Caribbean Premier League and shining in the Global T20 Canada with 15 wickets for Surrey Jaguars last August.
In the T20 squad, ODI Captain Shai Hope has been named as vice-captain to Rovman Powell. The squad also sees the return of all-rounder Jason Holder and left-hander Nicholas Pooran, both of whom were absent from the ODI series.
First match on Tuesday
The T20 series against England will begin with the first match on Tuesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados, followed by two matches in Grenada and another two at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.
West Indies T20 Squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
West Indies v England T20I Series Schedule (Match start time in brackets)
1st T20I – 12 December – Kensington Oval, Barbados (6.00pm local time/5.00pm Jamaica time)
2nd T20I – 14 December – National Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
3rd T20I – 16 December – National Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
4th T20I – 19 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm local time/3.00pm Jamaica time)
5th T20I – 21 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time)
Stadium gates open two hours before the first ball is bowled.
