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The Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel has inserted 27-year-old left arm fast bowler Obed McCoy into the West Indies team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, as a replacement for 32-year-old allrounder Jason Holder.
Holder, whose confirmed absence was described as notable by lead selector Desmond Haynes, was injured while representing Worcestershire in the County Championship.
(Copyright ICC/ Getty)
The CWI Media release did not give details on Holder’s injury.
“Jason is an experienced player in our set-up—his absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field,” stated Haynes, via the CWI Media. “We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon.”
McCoy, who returned figures of 2/15 and 0/30 in the ongoing T20 series against South Africa, got the nod to join West Indies’ World Cup campaign ahead of promising but less experienced 22-year-old quick Matthew Forde.
McCoy has 43 wickets from 32 T20Is while Forde has three wickets—all taken in Wednesday’s win over South Africa—from three T20Is.
(via CWI Media)
“While it is unfortunate to lose a player of Jason’s calibre, we are confident in the abilities of Obed McCoy,” said Haynes. “Obed has shown remarkable skill and promise in his performances, and this opportunity will allow him to further showcase his talent on the international stage.
“We believe he will bring a fresh and dynamic energy to the squad.”
Forde is among five reserves for West Indies’ T20 World Cup campaign, which includes allrounder Kyle Mayers, wicketkeeper-batsman Andre Fletcher, and spinners Fabian Allen and Hayden Walsh Jr.
“We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks,” said West Indies coach Daren Sammy. “Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various formats of the game, but certainly T20.
“Each one of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise.”
West Indies, two-time T20 World Cup champions, are in Group C of the 2024 edition where they will face New Zealand, Afghanistan, Papau New Guinea and Uganda from 1 June.
The top two teams advance to the Super 8s.
In 2022, West Indies failed to advance beyond this stage as the regional cricketers finished bottom of a group that included Zimbabwe, Ireland and Scotland.
Photo: CWI Media
The Maroon Men play their final warm-up match at the Queen’s Park Oval next Thursday when they face Australia from 7pm.
West Indies squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Alzarri Joseph (vice-captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
Reserves: Fabian Allen, Andre Fletcher, Matthew Forde, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Management staff: Daren Sammy (head coach), Floyd Reifer (assistant coach), Rayon Griffith (assistant coach), Denis Byam (physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (strength and conditioning coach), Rawl Lewis (team manager), Dario Barthley (team media and content officer), Avenesh Seetaram (team analyst), Fitzbert Alleyne (team masseuse).
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