KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Brandon King said it was a dream come true to lead West Indies – even on an interim basis – and it was extra-special because he will be doing it on home soil.
The 29-year-old was named on Sunday the interim captain of the Caribbean side for three Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa this week to herald the return of internationals to Sabina Park in his native Jamaica.
The hosts will be without their regular captain Rovman Powell and his deputy Alzarri Joseph when they play against the South Africans this coming Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday because the duo are still participating in the Indian Premier League.
For now, King has welcomed the opportunity to advertise his leadership potential against opponents that are depleted for the same reason.
“It could not have been scripted any better,” he said. “It’s an honour to lead West Indies in any capacity, and it’s even much more special for me to do it at home.
“I am always excited to play at home – the last I think I did was against New Zealand three years ago – so it is good that we have got some matches leading up to the World Cup and that will create a little bit of excitement for the fans – and I am happy about it.”
The three T20Is will be the final, proper dress rehearsal for West Indies before they start their quest to win a third ICC Men’s T20I World Cup when the tournament starts on June 1 in the Caribbean and the United States.
King echoed the sentiments of lead selector Desmond Haynes that the matches against the Proteas will give members of the World Cup squad a last chance to get in the right frame of mind for the global showpiece, and others that missed out an opportunity to impress.
“This series is a vital part of our preparation,” King said. “Match practice is something that you cannot replicate in training. Obviously, we are coming from a training camp [in Antigua], and this is an opportunity to put those plans and skills in place, so we are very much looking forward to it.”
In addition to Powell and Joseph, three other members of the World Cup squad – Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, and Sherfane Rutherford are still involved with the IPL, and Cricket West Indies said Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope – recently back from the IPL – will be rested for the matches against South Africa.
“The communication has been clear about how we want to play,” King added. “The whole group knows how we want to play, and the guys that are here, we are looking to implement that in this series and see how it goes.
“Obviously, we are looking to win the series, but everybody has their roles, and we are looking for them to perform.”
The three matches against the South Africans will give players left out of the World Cup squad, namely left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Fabian Allen, left-handed batsman Alick Athanaze, pacer Matthew Forde, ambidextrous all-rounder Kyle Mayers, left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, and leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr – a final chance to impress Haynes and head coach Daren Sammy.
All teams are allowed up to Saturday to make changes to their provisional World Cup squads that were previously named, after which any alteration will require approval from the event’s technical committee, so there is still time for players omitted to shine.
