West Indies on Thursday named off-spinner Kevin Sinclair in a 14-man squad for a three-match ODI series against New Zealand as they look to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
The matches will take place under floodlights at Kensington Oval in Barbados on August 17, 19 and 21.
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The three games are the West Indies’ last remaining three fixtures in the Super League which will decide automatic qualifying spots for the 2023 World Cup in India.
Only the top seven sides along with hosts India qualify automatically with those outside having to go through a qualifying competition.
Sinclair made his international debut in T20I cricket last year against Sri Lanka and has so far played six games in the shortest format.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has also been named in the squad but will have to undergo a fitness assessment on a finger injury sustained against India last month.
“As we stated before, we are looking to broaden the pool of players and we have decided to give Sinclair an opportunity in the CG United ODI Series against New Zealand. He has been in the system for a while and was also in the ‘A Team’ to play against Bangladesh ‘A’ in the upcoming series. We believe with his calm approach and skills he will do well in the matches against New Zealand," West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes said in a statement.
He added, “New Zealand is a very good cricketing nation, and this will be a very competitive series. We have the confidence in the players selected that they will do very well. This is the last series of the international season at home, and it would be good to end with some solid performances as we continue to build towards the ICC World Cup in India next year."
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Allrounder Roston Chase is unavailable due to injury while fellow all-rounder Fabien Allen is out due to personal reasons.
West Indies Full Squad: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - AFP)