The West Indian Cricket Board has announced a 14-man squad for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa, which will serve as a crucial warm-up ahead of the T20 World Cup. Due to the ongoing IPL, several first-choice players were unavailable and opening batter Brandon King will lead the squad. This is a chance for the players to fine-tune their skills before the World Cup, with the series set to begin on May 23.
Kingston, Jamaica - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has named a 14-man squad for the upcoming Twenty20 International (T20I) series against South Africa, which will be held from May 23 to May 29.
The series will serve as a vital warm-up for both teams ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.
SQUAD:
Background:
The West Indies and South Africa have a long-standing rivalry in cricket, dating back to the late 19th century. In T20Is, the Proteas have a slight edge, having won 13 of their 21 encounters against the West Indies.
The two teams last met in a T20I series in 2021, with South Africa winning 3-0. However, the West Indies have since improved their T20 performances, reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Key Players:
Brandon King will lead the West Indies squad in the absence of several first-choice players who are currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). King, a dynamic opening batter, will be looking to make a strong impression ahead of the World Cup.
Other key players to watch include Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Jason Holder, and Nicholas Pooran. All four are experienced international players who have played in numerous T20 leagues around the world.
FAQs:
Q: Why are several first-choice West Indies players unavailable for the series? A: Several West Indies players, including Kieron Pollard, Shimron Hetmyer, and Chris Gayle, are currently playing in the IPL.
Q: What are the West Indies' chances of winning the T20 World Cup? A: The West Indies are considered one of the favorites for the T20 World Cup, along with teams like India, Australia, and England.
Q: Who is the captain of the South African T20I team? A: Temba Bavuma is the captain of the South African T20I team.
Q: How many T20Is have South Africa and the West Indies played against each other? A: South Africa and the West Indies have played 21 T20Is against each other, with South Africa winning 13 and the West Indies winning 7.
Q: Where will the South Africa vs. West Indies T20I series be played? A: The South Africa vs. West Indies T20I series will be played at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia and the Grenada National Stadium in Grenada.
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