Big names opt out as CWI names squads for Bangladesh tour

Many big names like Jaosn Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo have opted out citing Covid-19 fears or personal reasons as the Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced ODI and Test squads for their upcoming tour of Bangladesh next month including three ODIs and two Tests.  

Holder, Pollard, Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran have opted out due to Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears while Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich were unavailable due to personal reasons, informed the CWI through a media release.

"The CWI Covid-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player's own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection," read the media release.

Brathwaite will be leading the Test squad while former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies A team captain, Jason Mohammed, will lead the ODI team.

"Kavem Hodge, the right-handed top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad; while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year. 

"Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month. Two players have earned their first call-ups for the ODI squad -- Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman," the media release added. 

The West Indies are due to arrive on January 10 and following one-week quarantine will play a one-day warm-up match at BKSP before they take on the Tigers in the first of three ODIs on January 20.

Following the three-match ODI series, Windies will play a four-day warm-up game at Chattogram's MA Aziz Stadium before playing the first of their two Tests on February 3. The series will run until February 15 with the last Test beginning on February 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. 

West Indies Test Squad:

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican

West Indies ODI Squad:

Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh jr.