West Indies will complete their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifying campaign with just 13 available players, after Cricket West Indies (CWI) lead selector Desmond Haynes recalled allrounder Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph to prepare for the upcoming Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test series against India.
The two-match Test Series bowls off on 12 July at Windsor Park, Dominica.
Haynes told the CWI Media that the decision was taken “with the view of managing the workloads of the two bowlers” who represent West Indies across all three formats.
“Jason and Alzarri are two of our leading bowlers in all formats,” said Haynes. “We have a full schedule for the upcoming series against India, where we begin the new ICC World Test Championship, then followed by the CG United ODIs and the five T20Is.
“Therefore, we had dialogue, and it was felt the best move at this time is to have two of our leading bowlers return early from Zimbabwe.”
The move leaves West Indies captain Shai Hope short of bowling options for their remaining qualifiers against Oman on Wednesday Sri Lanka on Friday.
Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd are the two remaining quicks for the West Indies while Kyle Mayers is a useful medium pacer and Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase and Kevin Sinclair provide spin options.
West Indies have no chance of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in India.
(West Indies team)
Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Johnson Charles, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair.
Call the entire team back, its just a waste of time and money!! Next time just send an under 19 team to represent WI.