The 15-member World Cup squad of West Indies have announced West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Wednesday. The newly appointed interim selection panel, Robert Haynes, the chairperson along with Jimmy Adams and Floyd Reifer, the coach of West Indies, selected the squad for the upcoming mega event; which is scheduled to start from May 30 in England.

While Chris Gayle is all set to play his fifth World Cup, Andre Russell has recalled in the squad. However, the key players of Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders’ in the Indian Premier League, Kieron Pollard, and Sunil Narine respectively, couldn’t find places in the squad. The 15-member squad will be led by Jason Holder.

Read here: Jacques Kallis rejects the talks of Dinesh Karthik’s sacking from KKR’s captaincy

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has returned in the squad after two years of his last played ODI. Evin Lewis and Kemar Roach have also included in the squad after ruled out due to injury from the recent series against England. Andre Russell, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, and Kemar Roach are some of the big names who have been selected.

However, Russell’s inclusion was the most notable thing. After returning from an anti-doping ban, he has been suffering from a knee injury. However, he has played one ODI and three T20I matches in 2018 during Bangladesh’s tour to West Indies. Apart from that, he has been playing more franchise T20 cricket – currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing season of Indian Premier League (IPL). On the other hand, West Indies will play an ODI tri-series in Ireland, which will also feature Bangladesh, prior to the mega event.

Also read: Andre Russell Reveals Chris Gayle Helped Him To Improve

While talking about the squad, Robert Haynes said that the selection panel gave preference to the combination.

“The selection panel looked at the skill set of the players and the combinations. We have looked at the wickets that have been used in England in the past, players fitness and their urge to represent West Indies. We came up with a balanced team who will represent West Indies in England,” Haynes added.

Squad:

Jason Holder (C), Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer