Evin Lewis to replace injured Lendl Simmons in the West Indies World T20 squad

West Indies team had suffered a setback ahead of the World To after the experienced Lendl Simmons was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. He will be replaced by the 24-year-old uncapped left-handed batsman Evin Lewis who will join the team ahead of the start of the global event.

This news will hurt the team which is already with their T20 stars. All-rounder Kieron Pollard was ruled out of the World Twenty20 due to a knee injury while spinner Sunil Narine is still working to fix his illegal bowling and all-rounder Darren Bravo has opted to focus on the longer formats of the game.

Simmons’ replacement Lewis has represented Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean T20 and the Champions League and has impressed chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd.

“Evin Lewis a young and exciting batsman who we believe he will fit into the team set-up very well. He has the ability to perform at this level of the game,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said. “His selection is in keeping with our policy to give exposure to young, talented players we believe will help to carry West Indies cricket forward,” he added. All-rounder Kieron Pollard was ruled out of the World Twenty20 due to a knee injury, spinner Sunil Narine is still working to fix his illegal bowling and all-rounder Darren Bravo has opted to focus on the longer formats of the game.

Lewis has represented Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean T20 and the Champions League and impressed chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd, who led West Indies to two 50-over World Cup triumphs. “Evin Lewis a young and exciting batsman who we believe he will fit into the team set-up very well. He has the ability to perform at this level of the game,” Lloyd said.

“His selection is in keeping with our policy to give exposure to young, talented players we believe will help to carry West Indies cricket forward,” he added.

West Indies, T20 world champions in 2012, arrived in Kolkata on Monday after a two-week training camp in the United Arab Emirates.

The Calyspo Kings have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 10 stage along with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and one of the first-round qualifiers.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (C), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor