West Indies announce squad for Ireland, England ODIs
The squad remains largely unchanged from the group that secured a series win over England and Bangladesh at the end of 2024, with Shai Hope retaining his position as captain.
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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named a strong 15-member squad for their upcoming six-match ODI tour, featuring three matches each against Ireland and England. The tour, which begins on May 21 in Dublin and concludes on June 3 in England, is a part of the West Indies’ preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The squad remains largely unchanged from the group that secured a series win over England and Bangladesh at the end of 2024, with Shai Hope retaining his position as captain. The opening pair is expected to feature Brandon King and Evin Lewis, while Keacy Carty slots in at No. 3. Youngster Jewel Andrew, who impressed at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, also earned a call-up.
Shimron Hetmyer, who is currently featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals, has been sidelined. Meanwhile, fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Matthew Forde return to the squad after missing the Bangladesh series due to fitness concerns. Left-handed batter Amir Jangoo will be pushing for a place in the XI following a stunning hundred on debut last December.
Ravi Rampaul appointed as bowling coach
Head coach Daren Sammy pointed out the significance of the tour and is eyeing to build a solid side for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
"These matches form a critical component towards the 2027 World Cup, and there are signs of the team building consistency following the series sweep against Bangladesh and the win over England late last year. We expect the conditions to be challenging, but we are creating a culture and mindset that emphasize playing the brand of cricket that is taking us closer to some of our overall objectives," he said in a Cricket West Indies statement.
Furthermore, the board revealed major changes in the coaching setup. Former West Indies pacer and 2012 T20 World Cup winner Ravi Rampaul replaces James Franklin as bowling coach. Former Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien will also join the coaching staff for the Ireland leg of the tour.
The three-match series against Ireland will take place at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin from May 21 to 25, before the Caribbean side travels to England for ODIs starting May 29 at Edgbaston. The team is currently ranked ninth in the ICC ODI rankings and will be looking for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
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