Two-time world champion West Indies’ top-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Sharmarh Brooks has been given his place. Actually, Hetmyer could not catch the flight on time. The team took off on Tuesday. He has to play in the T20 series before the World Cup in Australia.
Cricket West Indies said in a statement- ‘The Selection Committee has decided that Shimron Hetmyer has missed a previously scheduled tour of Australia due to family reasons. The team has been changed at his request.
Since the availability of flights is a real challenge. The team left on 3 October. In such a situation, Hetmyer will unfortunately not be able to play the first T20 International against Australia on 5 October at the Metricon Stadium.
Hetmyer Informed The Cricket Manager
The 25-year-old batsman informed the cricket manager in the morning on October 3 that he will not be able to reach the airport on time for his flight to New York in the afternoon.
Cricket West Indies director of cricket Jimmy Adams said – ‘Hetmyer was told that ‘any delay’ in the trip would cost him his place in the World Cup.
We have informed the CWI Board of Directors that the selection committee has unanimously decided to include Shamar Brooks in the T20 World Cup squad in place of Shimron Hetmyer.
Brooks to join the team in Melbourne
Brooks will join the team during the World Cup in Melbourne. He will not take part in the opening matches of the T20 series against Australia. They will be flying this weekend. The West Indies team, captained by Nicholas Pooran, will have to play qualifying matches as the team could not qualify directly for the World Cup. The team is in Group B along with Ireland, Scotland, and Zimbabwe. Out of this, the top two teams are qualifying for Super 12.
