Guyanese all-rounder, Keemo Paul has returned to the West Indies limited overs squad for the upcoming limited overs series against Bangladesh in the Caribbean.
The 24-year-old all-rounder has represented West Indies in 20 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He featured in the recent West Indies tour of Pakistan but last played a T20I back in 2020 against New Zealand.
Also in the 50-over squad is Paul’s left-arm spinning countryman, Gudakesh Motie who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in the recent successful series for West Indies. Romario Shepherd is listed in the T20I squad but is a reserve in the ODIs.
The 32-year-old Devon Thomas is another player recalled to the side after playing the last of his 19 ODIs nine years ago.
Rovman Powell will serve as vice captain to Nicholas Pooran in the T20s. Of this appointment, Lead Selector, Desmond Haynes, spoke about Powell leading the side before as well as leading his Caribbean Premier League franchise.
“We know Rovman’s history. He has captained the West Indies before and is also the captain of his CPL franchise. Our role is to look at future leaders as well and we have identified a few, including himself, who we will be putting programmes around to ensure we keep them involved in that aspect of the cricket,” Haynes said.
He added, “Thomas is a very versatile cricketer, who has been knocking on the door in all formats. He has been doing well in franchise cricket and with that level of talent, we must ensure we keep him interested. He brings a lot to the table and is basically a four-dimensional player, he can bat, bowl, he is brilliant in the field, and he can keep wicket as well. McCoy has done exceptionally well in the IPL and enjoyed a successful stint in England as well, so we are confident that he is back to his best in terms of playing and fitness.”
Haynes noted that it is time to start looking at players for the T20 World Cup later in the year.
The T20I Series opens with back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday, 3 July at the Windsor Park in Dominica. This will see a return to international cricket at the fully refurbished venue, where international cricket is being hosted for the first time since the hurricane damage of 2017. The Series climaxes with the third and final match on Tuesday, 7 July at the Guyana National Stadium.
The CG United ODI Series will be played at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday, 10 July, Monday 13 July and Thursday, 16 July. In Guyana, the prices will range from US$6 (GUY$1200) for the Mound/Grounds, to US$15 (GUY$3000) for the Orange Stand or US$25 (GUY$5000) for the best seats in the Red and Green Stands, as the fans in Guyana welcome the busiest “Summer of Cricket” to the South American mainland.
FULL SQUADS
T20 Internationals
Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr., Reserve: Dominic Drakes
One-Day Internationals Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Kaecy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales, Reserve: Romario Shepherd
