Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member squad for their forthcoming three-match home T20I series against South Africa. The three T20Is are scheduled for September 24, 26, and 28, with all games set to take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
Rovman Powell will continue to captain the team, with Roston Chase serving as his deputy. The notable omissions from the squad include veteran all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder as well as right-arm pacer Azlarri Joseph.
It is understood that Russell had a heavy workload as he had represented the West Indies in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and subsequently played in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States of America and The Hundred tournament in England. Holder, on the other hand, who did not participate in the T20 World Cup owing to injury, took part in five consecutive Tests for the West Indies, which included matches against England and South Africa. In an official release from the Cricket West Indies, both all-rounders requested to be rested.
Meanwhile, Joseph remains a significant absentee from the squad who also rested for the Test series against South Africa this month. He last played for the West Indies in the two-Test series against England in July.
“Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder who played five back-to-back five Tests against England and South Africa. During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team,” CWI said in an official release.
Daren Sammy, West Indies coach, has said that they have already begun the preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. He also expressed full confidence in the squad selected for the upcoming T20Is against the Proteas.
“Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan. We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I’m confident in the squad we’ve selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success,” Sammy said.
West Indies Full Squad T20I series against South Africa: Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
