The West Indies cricket team has welcomed back Jason Holder and Andre Russell to their T20I squad for the upcoming series against England. However, Nicholas Pooran has opted for a rest following his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Following their final ODI at The Oval on Tuesday, the West Indies will face England in three T20 matches. The team will later head back to Ireland for another trio of T20Is but with a notably altered squad. Russel, along with some other players and coaching staff, will be rested for this part of the tour.
Holder’s return marks his first T20I appearance since February 2024, after an injury ruled him out of the World Cup later that year. Meanwhile, Russell has not played for his national side since injuring his ankle against England in Barbados six months ago.
With Shai Hope now leading as the T20I captain, the series against England will be the team’s first without Rovman Powell at the helm. Powell, who continues with the squad despite a disappointing 3-0 series defeat to Bangladesh, commented, “I’m working hard on my game and aiming to contribute positively.”
Sherfane Rutherford features in the squad after missing the Bangladesh series while participating in the Big Bash League. Keacy Carty is set to join the team for the matches in Ireland, taking over from Brandon King, who has been given leave.
Roston Chase, the newly appointed Test captain, will return to the Caribbean after the England series in preparation for the upcoming Australia tour. Making his debut is Jyd Goolie, a former West Indies Under-19 player, stepping in for Chase in Ireland.
Regarding the upcoming Test matches, West Indies will have a training camp in Barbados from June 13 to 21, leading up to their first Test against Australia on June 25. With a recent change in the coaching structure, Daren Sammy is now head coach, alongside assistants Floyd Reifer and Ravi Rampaul, who will all return home early. Rayon Griffith will lead the coaching staff for the Ireland T20Is.
Squad for England T20Is:
Shai Hope (captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
Squad for Ireland T20Is:
Shai Hope (captain), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
