Head coach Phil Simmons has maintained Test captain Jason Holder is still in contention for a berth in the T20I squad.
Holder was a key member of the Barbados Tridents' squad for the 2020 Caribbean Premier League. He later joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for the 2020 Indian Premier League – and played a starring role in recent victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Holder, however, has not been included in the West Indies squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
“Jason always has a chance to play T20 cricket,” said Simmons.
“Let me just clear it up here. This is an odd tour here. The T20 series finishes a day or two days before the first Test match and Holder being captain of the Test team, a decision was taken by us as a selection panel that Jason will not be considered for that part.
“Seeing that he is coming from IPL, he will have one chance to play in the four-day game before the Test match. But Jason is always in consideration for T20s. He had two good years at the CPL and now he is having a good tournament at the IPL.”
Bravo Also Absent
The T20I squad will also be without veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. He sustained a groin injury while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2020. Bravo has been replaced in the West Indies squad by fellow all-rounder Romario Shepherd.
“It's a concern because Bravo was injured in the CPL and he is injured in the IPL. But there is a break now. He is going to go back home and do what is necessary for him to be fit enough to play,” added Simmons.
“There are a few series, there is another IPL I think before the World Cup, so there are a lot of chances for him to go and get himself fit and we will see what his fitness is like leading up to the tournament.”
New Zealand and the West Indies will contest three T20Is. They will then play two Tests. Mount Maunganui, Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton will host the fixtures.
