Romario Shepherd will replace injured Dwayne Bravo in the T20I squad for their upcoming tour to New Zealand, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Wednesday (local time).
Bravo earlier had been ruled out of the upcoming tour due to a groin injury. The 37-year-old all-rounder had sustained the injury on October 17 whilst playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “I was really looking forward to the tour of New Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon in Sri Lanka back in March and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 World Cup next year,” said Bravo in an official statement. “Unfortunately, the injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour. I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment. I’m fully committed to representing the West Indies and I just need to get myself stronger against” said Bravo.
Shepherd has played only a couple of T20Is having made his debut early this year. He was part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team that reached the semifinal of the Caribbean Premier League, picking six wickets at an economy of 7.31.
“This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands. I was in the team before, last year and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game so I’m ready,” Shepherd said. Shepherd has played only a couple of T20Is having made his debut early this year. He was part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team that reached the semifinal of the Caribbean Premier League, picking six wickets at an economy of 7.31.
West Indies will tour New Zealand from November 27 to December 15, playing three T20Is followed by two Test matches that are part of the World Test Championship cycle.
West Indies T20I squad for New Zealand tour: Kieron Pollard (capt), Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.