Following an impressive showing during the ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, wrist spinner Vitel Lawes has been included in the West Indies senior squad, for the upcoming One Day International Series against New Zealand.
Lawes is included in the 15-member team for the first three games of the the five match series, which is set to be played in Guyana and Barbados.Cricket West Indies stated in a media release that Lawes had been training with the senior team since the preparatory camp prior to the start of the home series. It also revealed that coach Nikita Miller has been added to the team management unit for the opening three games of the series, to assist Lawes.
While West Indies have been boosted by the inclusion of the talented young spinner, they will be without the services of all rounder Shamar Springer, who will miss the series following the death of his mother. In Springer’s absence, Keemo Paul has been included as a replacement.
Additionally, the batting lineup will be missing important top order player Shimron Hetmyer, who was granted pre-approved clearance through a No Objection Certificate, to fulfil his Major League Cricket commitments in the US.
According to head coach Daren Sammy, this is another important series, as West Indies build towards next year’s ICC 50 over World Cup.
The regional side is still outside of the automatic qualifying spots, following the rain affected series against Sri Lanka last month in Jamaica, which the visitors won 1-0.
“Every series we play from here on leading up to the 50 Over World Cup, we view them as must-win scenarios. The matches against New Zealand provide the best opportunity for us to continue our improvement as an ODI unit while winning more matches for the people of the Caribbean,” Sammy said.
“The inclusion of Vitel Lawes is strategic as we continue our long-term vision of exposing players who can complement the team in conditions that best suit their skill sets,” he added.
Full squad:
Shai Hope (Captain), Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Jayden Seales
