West Indies will be without veteran all-rounders Jason Holder and Andre Russell for the three-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with a strong squad led by Rovman Powell for the series starting from August 24. After a 1-0 loss to South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship series, West Indies will aim to continue their good run in T20Is as they take on the Proteas. West Indies have won four of their last five bilateral T20I series and missed out on a place in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at home after losing to South Africa.

“Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan,” Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at Cricket West Indies (CWI), said as quoted by ICC.

“We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I am confident in the squad we have selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success.”

The squad is notably without senior all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder. While Russell requested a period of rest and recovery, Holder has been rested following five back-to-back Tests against England and South Africa.

The squad is strengthened by the additions of Alick Athanaze, who shone in the Test series, and 22-year-old pacer Matthew Forde, who last played in the bilateral series against South Africa in May.

South Africa had earlier named their squad for the three-match series. The three T20Is will be played between August 24-28.

West Indies T20I squad: Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase (vc), Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd.

WI vs SA Live Score Updates,2nd Test Day 2© AFP

West Indies vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Live Score Updates© AFP

England vs West Indies Live Score 3rd Test Day 1© AFP

England vs West Indies 2nd Test Day 3: Live Score Updates© AFP

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The West Indies on Sunday named Obed McCoy as Jason Holder’s replacement for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the latter being ruled out due to an injury which he sustained while playing the County Championship. Without providing specific details of the injuries to Holder, the Cricket West Indies said in a release that the player will require a recovery period and the team’s medical staff will provide all support “to ensure his swift and complete recovery”. “Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon,” lead selector and former player Desmond Haynes was quoted as saying in the CWI release.

“While it is unfortunate to lose a player of Jason’s caliber, we are confident in the abilities of Obed McCoy. Obed has shown remarkable skill and promise in his performances, and this opportunity will allow him to further showcase his talent on the international stage,” he added.

Additionally, the CWI also named five reserve players — Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Matthew Forde, Andre Fletcher and Hayden Walsh — for the tournament starting on June 2.

“Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various formats of the game, but certainly T20. Each one of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise,” said head coach Daren Sammy.

The T20 showpiece will be co-hosted by the Caribbean nations and the USA.

West Indies squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. PTI DDV DDV AH AH