Chris Gayle has been included in the West Indies’ squad for the one-off Twenty20 International against England
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The West Indies have gone for a mix of experience and youth in their squad for the one-off Twenty20 International against England, which will be held on September 16 in Durham.
Flamboyant opener Chris Gayle leads the way in terms of the experienced players in the squad, while pace bowler Jerome Taylor and all-rounders Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard also made the cut.
In terms of the youngsters, there will be a lot expected from opener Evin Lewis, who recently scored a career-best 125 not out in the West Indies’ lone Twenty20 International against India in July.
Lewis does have another hundred to his name in the shortest format, which also came against India in August 2016.
Chadwick Walton, who is also an opening batsman, has been in superb form in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he is representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors, as he is the fourth-highest scorer with 298 runs at an average of 33.11.
Pace bowler Kesrick Williams and batsman Jason Mohammed have also excelled in the CPL, with the former taking eight wickets in 10 matches for the St Lucia Stars at an average of 37, while the latter has accumulated 275 runs in nine games for the Amazon Warriors at an average of 39.28.
Rovman Powell will provide a big-hitting option, while off-spinner Ashley Nurse is back in the squad despite not having played in a Twenty20 International since January 2015.
Ronsford Beaton in the only uncapped player in the side.
“We have a good mix of experience and youth that should adapt to English conditions quickly,” Courtney Browne, the West Indies’ chairman of selectors said. “Coming off the series win against India in the Caribbean in July our expectations is to see the team play a highly competitive game and bring that T20 Caribbean atmosphere to England.”
After the one-off Twenty20 International, the West Indies will take part in a five-match ODI series against England, which will begin on September 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
West Indies’ T20 Squad: Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton (wk), Kesrick Williams