The hosts West Indies will be without a number of well-known players for the next three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against South Africa at home, having lost the Test series 1-0. On Sunday, August 18, Cricket West Indies released a statement stating that Andre Russell had been rested per his request. Russell then completed his pledge to London Spirit in The Hundred 2024 after playing for the West Indies, who were eliminated from the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024.
Due to workload management, Russell and previous captain Jason Holder have been rested from the roster of fifteen players. Holder has participated in five consecutive Test matches for the nation, most recently at home against South Africa and in England. During this break, the two will now collaborate closely with the CWI research and medical staff.
“Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder who played five back-to-back five Tests against England and South Africa. During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team,” stated Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket.
Vice captain of the West Indies’ T20 World Cup, Alzarri Joseph, is also absent from the team; he did not play in the two-match Test series against South Africa. Brandon King is still out due to a side injury he sustained during the West Indies’ June Super Eight match against England. For the duration of the series, Roston Chase will be Rovman Powell’s deputy.
Despite missing all of the World Cup matches for the West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer has held onto his berth despite his last Twenty20 international match occurring in December 2023 against England.
Conversely, spin-bowling all-rounder Fabian Allen returns to the team following his heartbreaking loss of a home World Cup. In July, Allen and the Jaffna Kings won the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
“Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan,” Daren Sammy, our head coach, remarked. This should be an entertaining and significant series because we’ve played them previously with varying degrees of success. With our sights set on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I have faith in the group we’ve put together, and I know the boys will be eager to demonstrate their competitive spirit.”
The three Twenty20 Internationals are scheduled to take place in Tarouba’s Brian Lara Stadium. Interestingly, they will be contested in doubleheaders with the Women’s CPL 2024.
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