Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 16. Opener John Campbell, who recently scored his maiden Test century against Team India, has been recalled to the ODI team after six years.
West Indies are set to face New Zealand in the ODI matches. Notably, the matches will be played in Christchurch, Napier and Hamilton on November 16, 19 and 22 respectively. After the ODI encounters, the two teams will meet again in a three-Test series in December. The visiting team lost the T20 series by a margin of 3–1.
John Campbell returns to West Indies ODI team after six years
John Campbell has returned to the ODI team after six years. He has been included in the squad after impressive performances in red-ball cricket, including a century against India in Delhi, and a strong Super50 Cup campaign for Jamaica, where he scored 278 runs at a strike rate of 102.20.
Campbell replaces Brandon King, who has struggled to find consistency across formats. King could only score 62 runs in the ODI series against Bangladesh and his last half-century had come against England more than a year ago. He also recorded four single-digit scores in his last five T20I innings.
Given Campbell’s recent success and King’s decline in form, the selectors opted for a change in the top order ahead of the New Zealand ODIs.
West Indies have included young fast bowlers to protect several injured regular players
West Indies have included young fast bowlers to compensate for several injured regular players. Fast bowler Johan Layne and seam-bowling all-rounder Shamar Springer have received their first ODI call-ups, while Matthew Ford has returned from a shoulder injury suffered at the beginning of the year.
Spinners Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Moti as well as injured left-arm fast bowler Ramon Symonds have been left out of the squad to face Bangladesh. Key pace bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jedediah Blades are also unavailable due to injuries.
Lane, who made his Test debut in India last month, joins a lineup that also includes Jaden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Springer, Ford and Justin Greaves. Lane is inexperienced in List-A cricket, having played only 12 matches and taking 13 wickets.
Akeem Auguste has retained his place after making his Bangladesh debut and will continue with Casey Carty and Alick Athanaz in the side captained by Shai Hope.
West Indies team for ODI against New Zealand
Shai Hope (captain), Alec Athanazé, Akeem Auguste, John Campbell, Casey Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Ford, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Johan Layne, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.
West Indies will be aiming to end the drought in New Zealand, as they have not won an ODI series there since Brian Lara’s side thrashed the hosts 3-0 three decades ago. New Zealand have won 19 of the 31 ODIs played, while the Windies have won 10, with two matches ending without a result.
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