Chris Gayle and Fidel Edwards return to West Indies squad for T20I series vs Sri Lanka
In good news for West Indies cricket fans, flamboyant opener Christopher Henry Gayle has been recalled to the national team set-up. Yes, you read it right. The southpaw will don the maroon shirt for the first time in two years as the national selectors named him in the West Indies’ T20I squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home.
There is no better feeling than representing the country and Chris Gayle will be looking forward to making an impact. The swashbuckling opener who is heavily engaged in several T20 leagues all across the globe will don the national jersey for the truncated version of the game.
Earlier, he dropped a hint that he would retire from cricket. However, the 41-year-old Gayle took a sudden U-turn on his decision by adding that he could play until he is 45. West Indies batting great wants to help guide his team to a successful defence of their World Twenty20 title in India in October and November.
The veteran opener was last seen playing a T20I against England at home in Match 2019. He has aggregated as many as 1,627 runs in the shortest format, registering his best score of 117 with a batting average of over 32. The Caribbean opener was recalled to the 14-man squad under Kieron Pollard considering his exemplary performances in IPL and the Pakistan Super League.
Chris Gayle will return after two-year absence
Another notable inclusion in the West Indies’ T20I squad is the veteran pacer, Fidel Edwards. The right-arm fast bowler has been out of the team for quite a long time. The 39-year-old fast bowler hasn’t played any competitive game for his national team since 2012.
He had penned his services with Hampshire on a Kolpak deal in the year 2015. “As we build towards the defence of the T20 World Cup, the opportunity is being taken to determine our best team and squad as we go forward.
Chris Gayle has performed very well in recent tournaments and the selection panel thinks that he can still add great value to our team. Fidel Edwards has been selected to give the bowling the potent firepower needed,” CWI Lead Selector Roger Harper said.
West Indies T20I team:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Jason Mohammed, Nicolas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, and Kevin Sinclair
3 match T20I Schedule:
3rd March: First T20I – Coolidge Cricket Ground (Antigua)
5th March: Second T20I – Coolidge Cricket Ground (Antigua)
7th March: Third T20I – Coolidge Cricket Ground (Antigua)
