The Windies selectors have decided to use the same team they did for the One-day internationals against England, to play the three-match T20 series, which begins in St. Lucia tomorrow.
The Windies are on a high against England as they won the Wisden Test series 2-1 and then drew the Colonial Insurance ODI Cup 2-2, with a thumping win in the last game of the five-match series on Saturday in St. Lucia. With the T20 series set to begin in St. Lucia and end in St. Kitts with two matches, the Windies will be looking to continue their dominance over the 'Old Enemy' with victory in this format as well.
Guardian Media Sports understands from inside sources that the reason behind sticking with the same team is to give them enough opportunities to play together as a unit leading into the ICC World Cup in England. Despite this being T20 cricket, the source said that it would give the players a different situation to play matches if they have shortened matches at the 50 overs World Cup.
Although some players may be added to the team and some omitted for the World Cup, the nucleus of this team is already set, and the three matches will give them an opportunity to gell further, work with the coach Richard Pybus and captain Jason Holder.
After the T20 series, the Windies will fly to Ireland, to play a tri-series against the hosts and Bangladesh, who are ranked higher going into the World Cup.
Reports coming out of the camp is that the team is very comfortable and happy under the guidance of Pybus and Holder and are focussed on the job at hand. Two wins over the world number ranked team, England has given them a massive boost, and they are looking to finish the series on a high before taking a few weeks off and then off to Ireland.
WINDIES T20 TEAM
Jason Holder (capt), Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas, Devendra Bishoo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fabien Allen, Ashley Nurse.