Gayle retained, Bravo dropped as West Indies make changes in ODI squad
GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA - MARCH 02: Chris Gayle of the West Indies hits out for six runs during the Fifth One Day International match between England and West Indies at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on March 02, 2019 in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images,)
West Indies have selected 39-year-old opener Chris Gayle for their upcoming upcoming One-day International series against India.
The selectors picked a 14-man squad for the 3 ODIs with Gayle one of the key inclusions. His selection comes after him missing out on the T20 squad through unavailability.
“Chris is a very valuable player and he brings a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge, he lends a lot to any dressing room and it is great to have him in the squad,” Floyd Reifer, the West Indies coach, said.
However, fellow experienced batsman Darren Bravo misses out on the ODI squad. It comes after a World Cup in which he did not feature in any of West Indies’ final five matches.
Sunil Ambris, Shannon Gabriel and Ashley Nurse are the other casualties of West Indies first ODI squad announcement post World-Cup.
With Nurse, 30 and Gabriel, 31 it remains to be seen whether this decision from the selectors represents a terminal end to their white-ball international careers.
Meanwhile, Andre Russell misses out on the ODI squad following a World Cup that appeared to be plagued by injury with the destructive all-rounder often seen hobbling.
Aside from these omissions the rest of the West Indies squad who finished ninth in the World Cup remain part of the ODI squad for the India series.
Three players from outside of West Indies World Cup squad are included as the West Indies will hope to better their 125-run defeat to India in the recently concluded World Cup over the course of the series.
Left-hander John Campbell returns to the side after featuring against England in the limited-overs series in February this year.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old all-rounder Keemo Paul also finds his way back into the side alongside Barbados all-rounder Roston Chase.
West Indies coach Reifer was happy to welcome back the trio into the squad as the side seek to balance a side that has struggled in white-ball cricket.
“It is good to have Keemo, John and Roston back, and they will help to bring further balance to the team,” Reifer said.
“Looking ahead to the series, I think we have a lot to build upon following the World Cup.
“We have retained a large number of players from the World Cup squad, so there is a lot to build on and I am looking forward to the Series.”
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