POORAN, SHEPHERD CRACK NOD FOR T20 WORLD CUP CO-HOSTS WEST INDIES

West Indies, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts, have included Betway SA20 stars Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd in their 15-member squad for the tournament.

Pooran, a former West Indies white ball captain, featured in three matches for Durban’s Super Giants during SA20 Season 2, showcasing the big-hitting which has made him a highly sought-after player across the global T20 leagues.

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The 28-year-old left-hander’s most notable knock, an unbeaten 60 off 31 balls including 4 sixes, came in DSG’s away win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Pooran completed his SA20 stint against Romario Shepherd’s Joburg Super Kings. The bowling allrounder has played 17 matches in yellow across the two seasons to date, claiming 13 wickets and contributing some handy lower-order hitting including a high score of 40 (against DSG in Season 1).

Director of West Indies Cricket, Desmond Haynes briefly spoke about the big selection calls they had to make, including the omission of Durban’s Super Giants’ Kyle Mayers.

"It was some very close decisions, regarding the selection of Kyle Mayers and Shimron Hetmyer [who was favoured between the two] – but we looked at who we wanted the extra batter batting down the order.”

West Indies have been drawn in Group C, with Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Uganda for company. Their fixtures will be played in Guyana, Trinidad and Saint Lucia.

WEST INDIES 2024 T20 WORLD CUP PROVISIONAL SQUAD

Rovman Powell (captain), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hossain, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran (Durban’s Super Giants), Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd (Joburg Super Kings).