Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein has been promoted to the West Indies’ 15-man T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for spinner/all-rounder Fabian Allen, after the latter player failed to recover from an unhealed right ankle injury. The ICC technical committee approved the change today.
Hosein, a 28-year-old Trinbagonian, only debuted for the West Indies this January and played in nine ODIs and six T20Is. He was wicketless in T20I action with an economy rate of 9.75.
Hosein made a strong case for himself in the 2021 CPL competition where he picked up 13 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 15.92, with the second-best economy rate among bowlers completing a minimum of 20 overs in the tournament. He was also a net bowler with Kolkata Knight Riders during the UAE leg of the 2021 IPL competition.
The other West Indies reserves are Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell and Darren Bravo.
The ICC rules also permit teams to summon an additional reserve player and the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel again turned to spin, as Gudakesh Motie, also a left-arm spinner, was drafted into the squad’s reserves.
The 26-year-old Motie, a former West Indies Under-19 player but uncapped at senior level, must now fly from Guyana to the UAE where he will do six days of mandatory quarantine with the required negative Covid-19 tests before he can physically join the team.
“I know Fabian [Allen] was really looking forward to playing in this World Cup, so it is very disappointing that he is forced to miss out,” lead selector Roger Harper told the CWI Media. “His all-round capabilities will be missed by the team. I would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery and look forward to him being available for squad selection in the near future.
“I take the opportunity to congratulate Akeal [Hosein] on being drafted into the 15-member squad and look forward to him continuing the good form he displayed throughout the year.
“I also congratulate Gudakesh Motie whose performances in the CG Insurance Super50 and CPL have resulted in him being added to the reserves as spin bowling cover.”
CWI selectors also requested Dominic Drakes and Odean Smith to remain in the UAE to train with the West Indies squad as net bowlers. Drakes, 23, and Smith, 24, both participated in the 2021 IPL.
West Indies, led by captain Kieron Pollard, play their second and final warm-up match today against Afghanistan after a 7-wkt loss to Pakistan on Monday. The ‘Men in Maroon’ are seeking an unprecedented third T20 World Cup title and a second in a row after wins in 2012 and 2016.
The West Indies open their campaign on Saturday with a Super 12 fixture against England at the Dubai International Stadium from 10am (9am Jamaica).
West Indies 15-man squad:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Travelling reserves:
Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie.