WIndies reveal quality ‘A’ squad for Nepal tour

Kathmandu, Apr. 24: Only a couple of days remain before Nepal hosts the A team of West Indies, one of the powerhouses of cricket. While the news of the West Indian team arriving in Nepal was enough to make Nepalis jump out of their seats, the names of the cricketers in the travelling squad have only intensified the anticipation for how great the five-match T20 series will be. The series will kick off on April 27 at TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and conclude on May 4.

According to Cricket West Indies (CWI), its Men’s Selection Panel selected a 15-member squad for the tour to Nepal with experienced Roston Chase as the captain.

Chase, who is an all-rounder, showed his class in international cricket when the West Indies hosted India in 2016 and was allowed to make a debut. After taking a five-wicket haul, Chase helped West Indies draw the 2nd Test on August 3, 2016, with a not-out inning of 137 runs off 269 deliveries. 

According to ESPNcricinfo, a sports news website exclusively for cricket, Chase has played in 49 Tests but only 11 T20Is. Yet, the experienced 32-year-old will be a dangerous foe leading a formidable squad against Nepal.

Alick Athanaze will be supporting Chase as the vice-captain. An opener batsman, Athanaze played his final Test and ODI matches against Australia in 2024. Meanwhile, he has not played in T20Is in the national jersey.

The other players in the squad are Fabian Allen, Kadeem Alleyne, Joshua Bishop, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher, Matthew Forde, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh. Floyd Reifer, a former Barbadian cricketer, is the head coach of the squad.

Experienced cricketers

The most experienced cricketer in West Indies ‘A’ squad to Nepal is Andre Fletcher. Debuting for the West Indies senior squad in 2008, Fletcher has played in over 50 T20Is for the national team. Having the ability to rain boundaries, Fletcher has played in the CPL, BPL, PSL and BBL over the years.

Likewise, Johnson Charles is another name to shine brighter in the squad list. Representing the West Indies since 2011, Charles, who bats as well as keeps behind the wickets, was a part of the squad that lifted the T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016.

Opening the batting against India, Charles’ 52 off 36 was of great help for the West Indies to secure a spot in the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup.

On the other hand, Fabian Anthony Allen and Oshane Thomas are also well-experienced cricketers. Fabian’s latest T20I match was against India in 2022; however, he has good experience in the format and has also played for Mumbai Indians and Punjab Super Kings in the IPL. Thomas’s final T20I for West Indies was against England in 2023; he has also played in the IPL from Rajasthan Royals.

Keema Paul, Gudakesh Motie, Hayden Walsh and Obed McCoy have also represented the West Indies in the senior team and played in multiple clubs in several T20 leagues.

Meanwhile, Kadeem Alleyne, Joshua Bishop, Keacy Carty, Mark Deyal and Matthew Forde will be looking forward to gaining more experience and showing their abilities.  “From a coaching perspective, the Nepal tour couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. It offers us a chance to refine our World Cup squad, defining roles and personnel more clearly. Additionally, with nine players in the IPL, we can truly gauge and push the limits of our T20 team’s depth,” CWI quoted Daren Sammy, white ball head coach of West Indies.

Nepal’s squad to face the West Indian team was not revealed until Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, Nepal will require a well-selected squad to prevent the West Indian power hitters from hitting a worrying number of maximums in Kirtipur.