Guyanese Shepherd steps in for Covid positive Paul in ODI squad to face Bangladesh

Romario Shepherd (Photo: CWI)

Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel has named Romario Shepherd in the 13-member squad to face Bangladesh in the three-match CG United One-Day International (ODI) Series.

The Guyanese was initially listed as a reserve player but will now be stepping in for Keemo Paul, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is therefore unavailable.

Odean Smith now fills the sport left vacant by Shepherd.

Fellow Guyanese cricketer Gudakesh Motie also features in the squad.

Shepherd bowled well in the recent T20 International Series, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 6 wickets including a career-best 3-21 in the first T20I at Windsor Park, Dominica. He will now have the opportunity, subject to selection, to play more games in front of his home crowd at the Guyana National Stadium.

The CG United ODI Series is due to bowl off on Sunday. First ball is 9:30 hours

Bangladesh approaches Sunday’s match still eyeing their first win of the tour, having lost both the Tests and T20I series 2-0.

Bangladesh are coming off series wins against Afghanistan and South Africa earlier this year. It also put them on top of the ICC ODI Super League for a few months.

Meanwhile, West Indies have only won one out of their four ODI series this year, against Netherlands, under new white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran.

Speaking to the media in a match preview press engagement earlier today, Pooran said; “I think obviously it’s a lot of new guys in the team as well. I think we definitely need to play together more as a group and just have patience.

“I think we just need to get the right mindset, the right template for this format and just stick with it. We’re looking forward to this Bangladesh series.”

FULL SQUAD

• Nicholas Pooran (Captain)

• Shai Hope (Vice Captain)

• Shamarh Brooks

• Kaecy Carty

• Akeal Hosein

• Alzarri Joseph

• Brandon King

• Kyle Mayers

• Gudakesh Motie

• Anderson Phillip

• Rovman Powell

• Jayden Seales

• Romario Shepherd

• Reserve: Odean Smith

MATCH SCHEDULE – Bangladesh tour of West Indies

Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled – Friendship Test Series, presented by Walton

16-20 June: 1st Test – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – West Indies won by 7 wickets

24-28 June: 2nd Test – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia –West Indies won by 10 wickets

T20 International Series

2 July: 1st T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica – No result

3 July: 2nd T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica – West Indies won by 35 runs

7 July: 3rd T20I – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana – West Indies won by 5 wickets

CG United One-Day International Series

10 July: 1st CG United ODI – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana. Local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica

13 July: 2nd CG United ODI – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana. Local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica

16 July: 3rd CG United ODI – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana. Local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica

(CWI, ESPN Cric Info)