West Indies captain Rovman Powell and head coach Daren Sammy insist that the next leg of the team’s T20 International series against England represents a chance to reset, with the Men in Maroon 2-0 down in the five-match campaign.
Powell and Sammy reiterated their faith in the ability of the players, with two changes having been made to the squad on Tuesday for the last three games in Saint Lucia.
After clinching the three-match One Day International series 2-1 with a big win in Barbados, the home team lost the first two games of the T20I series at Kensington Oval by significant margins. Losing the toss and batting first each time, they lost the first by eight wickets, and the second by seven.
Sammy conceded that the visitors have been superior thus far. But the two-time World Cup winner as West Indies captain remained adamant that his men have not lost belief in themselves, and he has not lost belief in them, either.
“England have played better cricket than us in the first two games. but I’ve rallied Saint Lucia to come out and be an extra 12th man that we need here,” added Sammy. “And the guys, we’ve just not played the brand of cricket that that has allowed us to win. And it’s something we’re going to address. But we have the manpower within that dressing room to to win on Thursday and take it one one game at a time.”
Powell made 43 off 41 balls in Saturday’s encounter, as the home team limped to a total of 158/8. The 31-year-old Jamaican has the third-most T20I runs for West Indies in the past 12 months, during which time they have not lost a home bilateral series. On a pitch that is expected to produce more bounce and carry, he is looking forward to making a series of it.
“I think just be fearless. Just play the brand of cricket that has gotten us here,” he said. “We have been playing some good T20 cricket for the past 18 months so why change now? Saint Lucia provides an opportunity for batters that I think are still in good nick to put some scores on the board. But it’s important for the top five to bat the majority of the overs.”
Powell emphasised that the regional T20 team is “pretty settled,” and they just need to “get it right on the park.” The team got into Saint Lucia on Monday, and will be training at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Wednesday, ahead of the third T20I from 4 p.m. on Thursday. Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday announced the squad for that decisive rubber.
Veteran all-rounder Andre Russell has been ruled out due to a left ankle sprain sustained during the opening fixture on Saturday. In his place, Barbadian all-rounder Shamar Springer, fresh off his first two career T20I games against Sri Lanka, will join the squad.
The return of Alzarri Joseph is unlikely to go without comment in cricketing circles. The Antigua & Barbuda fast bowler was handed a two-match suspension after engaging in a heated on-pitch argument with captain Shai Hope during the final ODI, which he capped off by walking off the pitch.
Regional pundits including Joseph ‘Reds‘ Perreira have argued that Joseph got off with a slap on the wrist, suggesting that his punishment ought to have been far more severe, and should have included counselling. Only left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, with 25, has taken more T20I wickets than Joseph’s 24 this year, and that in six fewer matches.
Nonetheless, Joseph is to rejoin the squad in Saint Lucia, replacing his namesake, Shamar Joseph, in a like-for-like swap. Shamar Joseph conceded 45 runs in three wicketless overs in the opening T20I, and was dropped for the second contest. Sammy is embracing the recall of one of the team’s match-winners.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming [Alzarri], and the experience he brings in this squad. So yes we lose two key guys but we get two guys who are capable of doing the job for the team as well,” said Sammy. “Alzarri, much more experienced, what he brings to the table with his pace and again both powerplay and death bowling, and the ability to take wickets.”
West Indies T20I Squad:
Rovman Powell (Captain)
Roston Chase
Matthew Forde
Shimron Hetmyer
Terrance Hinds
Shai Hope
Akeal Hosein
Alzarri Joseph
Brandon King
Evin Lewis
Gudakesh Motie
Nicholas Pooran
Sherfane Rutherford
Romario Shepherd
Shamar Springer
Team Management:
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Team Manager: Rawl Lewis
Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach (Bowling): James Franklin
Team Physiotherapist: Dr. Denis Byam
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ronald Rogers
Team Masseuse: Dane Currency
Team Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
Media & Content Officer: Jerome Foster
