Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled its 16-player roster for the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) series against Australia, scheduled from July 20 to July 28. The matches will be hosted at Sabina Park in Jamaica and Warner Park in St. Kitts.
The CWI press release shared that Shai Hope will continue his role as captain, leading a squad that features experienced players such as Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, and Rovman Powell.
In anticipation of the series, West Indies’ head coach Daren Sammy emphasized the team’s broader objectives, which include climbing the ICC rankings and preparing strategically for the T20 World Cup set to take place in India and Sri Lanka next year.
“Our goals and strategic plans are aligned to winning the T20 World Cup in 2026. We have continuity in the squad from the previous series and as a unit we will continue to fine-tune our style and brand ahead of the World Cup,” Sammy stated.
Sammy also highlighted the importance of restoring their winning form on home soil.
“Our previous two T20 series at home we were on the wrong end of the results but starting against Australia, we want to regain our form at home as we build momentum into next year’s World Cup with our exciting and dynamic group of players,” he added.
The selected squad for the series includes:
– Shai Hope (Captain)
– Jewel Andrew
– Jediah Blades
– 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
The team management comprises Head Coach Daren Sammy, Team Manager Rawl Lewis, with coaching support from Assistant Coaches Floyd Reifer (batting), Ravi Rampaul (bowling), and Rayon Griffith (fielding). The squad’s support staff includes physiotherapist Dr. Denis Byam, Strength & Conditioning Coach Ronald Rogers, Massage Therapist Darc Browne, Team Analyst Avenesh Seetaram, and Media & Content Officer Jerome Foster.
The series schedule features the following fixtures, all starting at 7:00 PM local time:
– July 20 at Sabina Park, Jamaica
– July 22 at Sabina Park, Jamaica
– July 25 at Warner Park, St. Kitts
– July 26 at Warner Park, St. Kitts
– July 28 at Warner Park, St. Kitts
According to CWI, this squad combines a core group that recently secured a series victory against Ireland with promising newcomers Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades, both earning their first T20 international caps.
Andrew, an 18-year-old batters’ prospect and backup wicketkeeper, has garnered attention for his aggressive approach and versatility against spin bowling. Regarded as one of the region’s brightest talents, he is eager to make a significant impact on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Blades, a left-arm seamer who debuted against Bangladesh in 2024, gained recognition during the West Indies Breakout League, where he excelled in taking wickets during the powerplay overs.
I blame the WCB years ago they “said they would not pick Cricketers playing abroad, only in the West Indies”. West Indies cricket ruled when we had players, playing in England, learning the art of professionalism, disciplined, whether it was bowling, batting, fielding, mindset, attitude, you name it but with a Caribbean flare, etc, and that produced world class cricketers. It would leave a space in the West Indies for guys to come through to learn the basics then come to England to really finish of learning to be professional cricketers. Lack of everything talent, attitude, coaching, professionalism, you name it, its there. WCB need to send these guys back to England to learn REAL Cricket. Because that rule they introduce has never worked.
@MEME,
Meme, I hear you but to whom much is given, much is expected. Sammy signed on to be coach in exchange for high compensation as well as a high level of accountability.
In the Maritime world, the captain must be the last one to leave the ship while in cricket the Coach must bare the brunt of the blame and criticism for losing.
That being said, if the players consider themselves cricket professionals then they too must deliver the goods or wins on the field of play.
@Gliding
Well said.
My problem is our hypocricy and hatred of our own. I hear it on island on a daily basis. I am no fan of Sammy. I slammed him for taking the 20-T captaincy from Rovman Powell. I also believe that his workload is too heavy. But it’s highly hypocritical, nonsensical and ridiculous to ask for him to go, because his team lost to Australia. I hear it here on island. The Australian series has shown us that our batting is very poor. That’s not Sammy’s fault. But our bowling is the direct opposite. I would rather blame CWI for not having the cricketing infrastructure in place for young players for years. If they did, Alick Athanaze would have been a top notch batter like Shubman Gill. CWI has no system, no structure. The management structure and directors should do better, other than lining their pockets, eating and giving free tickets to friends.
Our coaching at the domestic level, our pitches, and many more are in disarray. Its not because of Sammy.
MEME
Will the Windies sing a redemption song, albeit in a different format? They are definitely in their wheelhouse when it comes to T20 cricket.
Let us hope the West Indies show up and show out and teach the Aussies a lesson on our home turf after being scorched and humiliated in the Test series.
Our team is definitely loaded in the batting department with a good mix of veterans and neophytes. Hopefully any measure of success in the T20 arena will spill over to our Test cricket team who are reeling at this present moment.
By the way, when will the so-called repairs and upgrade of the Windsor Park be complete to allow Dominicans to enjoy the game at a high competitive level at home?
For the good of West Indies cricket, i won’t do like some haters, and say i wish the West Indies loses because i hate that Sammy guy so much. Sammy is NOT the cause of the poor state of our cricket people. Our cricket was already at ground zero, even when Sammy played the game.
I wish the team well. We have been struggling for about 35 to 40 years. At least now i can say we have 3 top notch WORLD CLASS bowlers. Unfortunately we lack batters.
Australia is TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH TO WIN, so i would even take a 3 – 2 victory in favour of Australia.
Not like the so called fans who expected West Indies to win the test series against Australia and going as far as blaming Sammy. How Ridiculous.😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
MEME