World Cup: WI announces gun squad for T20 WC defence

West Indies is known for springing surprises. It recalled Ravi Rampaul for the ICC T20 World Cup starting in October in the UAE and Oman. The 36-year-old fast bowler will be making an international comeback after six years.

“Ravi will boost the team’s wicket-taking options in the powerplay, the middle phase and the death (late) overs,” said lead selector Roger Harper.

Carlos Brathwaite, who won the title for the Caribbeans by smashing four sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over in 2016, missed the bus. The all-rounder did not live up to the ‘maverick’ reputation. His strike-rate dropped to 113.13, and he could not even score one fifty in his 41-match T20I career.

Off-spinner Sunil Narine, who was in the West Indies’ scheme of things till 2019, is a noted absentee, too. Roston Chase’s form in the Caribbean Premier League earned him a maiden T20I berth.

The defending champion will be eyeing a hat-trick of titles.

Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Reserves: Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein.