Middle order batsman Darren Bravo is back on the Windies team for the ODI series against Bangladesh that gets underway on Sunday in Mirpur.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the team to battle Bangladesh in three matches and the left-hander who has been out of the ODI team since November 2016 is now back. Recently he was not chosen for the ODI series in India but was preferred for the T20 series.
Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said: “With two more ODI Series before the 2019 World Cup, the Bangladesh series allows us to narrow our search for our final 15-member World Cup squad. In the absence of captain Jason Holder, the panel believes the team can still be competitive, especially with the return of Darren Bravo. Darren’s experience will add value to the batting, which in turn will place selection pressure for spots in the squad. The selection panel, therefore, takes this opportunity to wish the team much success in Bangladesh.”
The selection sees the return also of T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite and Roston Chase. Recent debutants, Fabian Allen, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Oshane Thomas retain their places following the ODI series against India last month.
Due to the absence of regular Captain Jason Holder, CWI’s Board of Directors has approved Rovman Powell as interim captain, as the Windies seek to reverse the recent 2-1 home series defeat in July 2018.
Smith wants Bravo back for Tests
Meanwhile, former West Indies 'A' and T&T batsman Richard Smith wants to see Bravo back in the Test fold as well. "The selectors I think got it wrong by not including him for the ODIs and Test series in India and also for the Test matches on this current tour. He should have been given a chance to play in the Tests. Their actions puzzle me because they pick him for T20 matches against India when we know that his prowess really lies in the Tests and ODIs. He played T20 cricket well for the TKR but his best game is reserved for Tests and ODIs. I would like to see him play in the Test series against England that is coming up in the Caribbean soon."
The full team is as follows: Rovman Powell (Captain), Marlon Samuels, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Oshane Thomas.
BANGLADESH TOUR SCHEDULE
1st ODI – December 9 – Mirpur
2nd ODI – December 11 – Mirpur
3rd ODI – December 14 – Sylhet