Hetmyer Shamar Joseph in West Indies squad for 2024 T20 World Cup

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Shimron Hetmyer has been picked by West Indies in their 15-man squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Shamar Joseph, the 24-year-old fast bowler who has played only three T20s and is yet to make his international debut in the format, has also been given a surprise call-up.

Hetmyer had quite literally missed his flight to the 2022 T20 World Cup, but has since returned to the fold for West Indies. Alzarri Joseph has been named deputy to the captain Rovman Powell, while Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and Jason Holder all make the squad.

The only team to win the T20 World Cup twice (2012 and 2016), West Indies have been found themselves in embarrassing positions in the last two editions of the tournament. In 2021 West Indies, lead by Kieron Pollard, failed to make the knockouts after winning just one match in group phase. A year later, in Australia, West indies, under Nicholas Pooran's captaincy, failed to make the main round. The misery continued as West Indies then missed out on qualifying for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India after failing to progress through the Qualifier.

However, at the squad announcement on Friday in Barbados, the venue for the T20 World Cup final on June 30, Desmond Haynes, West Indies chairman of selectors, said he "believed" the hosts of the 20-team tournament could "win" the World Cup. "I'm making it very clear to everybody that whatever team that you hear us put out today, that team we feel is going to win the World Cup," Haynes said before the 15-man squad was unveiled. Hayes pointed out that while the selectors had jotted down names for the reserves, a final list would be worked out post West indies A tour of Nepal and the then the home T20 series against South Africa.

Haynes said that the inclusion of Shamar and Hetmyer was roles-specific, something former West Indies captain and current white ball head coach Daren Sammy has stressed upon. "You really can't question Shamar Joseph's skills. You saw him in Australia. We were looking at someone up front bowling the first powerplay and he ticks the boxes."

Shamar, who made his name with a stunning seven-wicket haul that helped West Indies seal a historic Test win at the Gabba, is one of several West Indian players at the IPL. He was signed by Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement player, but had a difficult debut, conceding 47 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. In his three T20s, he has conceded 9.91 runs an over and is yet to take a wicket.

Sammy said that it was always going to be a "difficult" squad to pick as he and Haynes had several contenders to parse through. One of them was fast man Matthew Forde, who made his West Indies debut against England in the home white-ball series on the back of a successful 2023 CPL. However, Sammy echoed Haynes' comments on how Shamar had pipped other new ball contenders including Forde. "Shamar Jospeh has the pace, he has skills with the new ball; not saying Matthew Forde doesn't, but when you look at the role, it makes it easier for us to now pick the personnel to fit that role."

Haynes: 'Very close decision between Hetmyer and Kyle Mayers'

Haynes admitted that it was a "very close decision" picking Hetmyer over Kyle Myers, who has been a regular opener in the past while doubling up as a handy medium pace bowler. Haynes said eventually the selectors along with Sammy felt having a finisher was more important than a top-order batter like Mayers, who is currently in IPL as part of Lucknow Super Giants. "It was a very close decision regarding selection between Kyle and Hettie, but we wanted the extra batsman to be the one batting down the order. We were hoping that Hettie would play that role as a finisher."

Sammy pointed out that "ideally" he would have wanted to announce the final 15 on May 25 because by then he would have seen every single player who is playing in IPL, for West Indies A and the South Africa series. One of those players, Sammy said, would be the left-arm spinner Fabian Allen currently playing in Nepal. "He is done really well in Nepal. He'll be featuring a game against South Africa."

Sammy also clarified that while Brandon King missed West A's ongoing tour of Nepal due to knee injury, he assured the Jamaican opener would be playing the T20 series at home against South Africa which would serve as the preparatory ground for both teams ahead of the World Cup which starts from June 1. In case King is found to be unfit, West Indies have until May 25 to make changes to their provisional 15.

As for the inclusion of Roson Chase, the lone off spinner in the squad, Haynes highlighted that numbers proved he was the "most economical bowler" in addition to being a capable allrounder and can play a "similar role" to that played by Marlon Samuels when West Indies won the T20 World Cups.

'Had conversations with Narine'

When asked whether Sunil Narine was in the running considering his outstanding all-round form in the ongoing IPL, West Indies head coach Sammy said he had spoken to Narine before finalising the squad but he remained retired from internationals. "Ever since I became coach I have had conversations with all players who took part in (2023) CPL that I thought that could have an impact for us this World Cup. So yes, I had conversations with Narine. (But) as the news clearly stated, Narine is is retired."

Sammy said the preparatory camp will be held in Antigua from next weekend to get ready for the South Africa series. He also said CWI had asked the BCCI to release the West Indies players from the ongoing IPL as soon as feasible.

Sammy: 'Have 15 X-factors'

Sammy was he captain when West Indies won the T20 World Cup, first in Sri Lanka in 2012 and then in India in 2016. Also present in those triumphs were Johnson Charles and Russell, who returned to play for West Indies during the Australia series in January after a long hiatus. Sammy admitted he was motivated by the prospect of becoming the first team to win a T20 World Cup at home. "We ready," Sammy said. "All the preparation, all the thought process, identifying the key roles that we need to, to be effective in to help us win has brought us to this moment. We have the guys that are ready to go out and execute for us."

Asked who he would single out as an X-factor player in the West Indies squad Sammy pointed out each and every name in the 15. "Look, this period here reminds me of when I was captain, Ottis Gibson or Phil Simmons was coach, sitting down in selection, having a healthy performance squad to pick from and you look at all angles, which 15 men you put on the park, and what every single angle could give you an advantage. And that's what I feel and we feel as a selection group we have. I have 15 X-factors there. Dessie [Desmond Haynes] reminded me in the meeting we have matchwinners, And the world knows it."

West Indies schedule for group phase

West Indies are in Group C along with Papua New Guinea (PNG), Uganda, New Zealand and Afghanistan. Their first two games are in Providence, Guyana, against PNG on June 2 and against Uganda on June 8. They then play New Zealand at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on June 12, before their last group game against Afghanistan on June 17 in St Lucia.

West Indies squad for T20 World Cup

Rovman Powell (capt), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford