All-rounder Andre Russell and fast bowler Oshane Thomas have been recalled to the West Indies‘ T20I squad for next month's series against Sri Lanka.
Russell has not played international cricket since the 2019 World Cup. He played for the Rajshahi Royals in the recent Bangladesh Premier League – and will be with the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2020 Indian Premier Laegue. KKR are priced at 8.00 by bet365 to win this year's IPL.
Thomas, meanwhile, recently escaped serious injury during a motor vehicle accident.
News on Thomas after car accident
“The West Indies Players' Association extends best wishes to West Indies and Jamaica fast bowler Oshane, who was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Sunday, 16 February, in Jamaica,” read a statement from WIPA.
“Thomas was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 2000 near Old Harbour in St. Catherine and was taken to hospital. WIPA's executive and staff would like to extend our sympathies to Oshane. We wish for him a speedy and full recovery.”
Batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who failed a fitness test ahead of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka, has been named in the T20I squad. The 14-man collective also includes leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr, who has played international cricket for the West Indies and United States of America.
“Shimron missed out on selection for the ODI squad. He has since attained the required fitness level, becoming available for selection and has been included,” said Cricket West Indies lead selector Roger Harper.
“Andre is back in the squad, having been cleared by the medical panel and successfully completing CWI's return-to-play protocol. Andre will add potency to every department of the team. Oshane appears to be focused and raring to go. He will add pace and penetration to the bowling unit.
“I look forward to the team building on its recent performances and winning the T20I series in Sri Lanka. This is another opportunity for the team to build on its strengths and identify areas that need improvement while continuing the process of building-up with the aim of peaking for the T20 World Cup in October.”
West Indies T20I squad
Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.
