Shepherd replaces Bravo for New Zealand tour

Guyanese all-rounder Romario Shepherd will replace Dwayne Bravo for the upcoming West Indies tour of New Zealand. Bravo, 37, suffered a groin injury while playing for Chennai Super Kings on Saturday in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Trinidadian will miss the rest of the IPL and the Twenty20 leg of the Windies tour, set for November 27- December 15.

The two-time T20 World Cup winner will return to Trinidad to continue his rehabilitation.

Shepherd made his international debut last year against Afghanistan and received his cap from Bravo.

He has played five One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals (T20Is).

His Windies T20 call-up comes despite an underwhelming 2020 Caribbean Premier League tournament. Shepherd grabbed just six wickets and scored 15 runs from eight matches for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The West Indies tour will start with three T20s, followed by two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship.

A disappointed Bravo rued the timing of the injury.

He said, “I was really looking forward to the tour of New Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon, in Sri Lanka back in March, and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 World Cup next year. Unfortunately, the injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour. I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment. I’m fully committed to representing the West Indies and I just need to get myself stronger again.”

Shepherd was elated about the unexpected opportunity.

“This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands. I was in the team before, last year and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game so I’m ready,” he said.

FULL SQUADS

T20I Squad

Kieron Pollard (captain)

Fabian Allen

Sheldon Cottrell

Andre Fletcher

Shimron Hetmyer

Brandon King

Kyle Mayers

Rovman Powell

Keemo Paul

Nicholas Pooran

Romario Shepherd

Oshane Thomas

Hayden Walsh Jr

Kesrick Williams

Test Squad

Jason Holder (captain)

Jermaine Blackwood

Kraigg Brathwaite

Darren Bravo

Shamarh Brooks

John Campbell

Roston Chase

Rahkeem Cornwall

Shane Dowrich

Shannon Gabriel

Shimron Hetmyer

Chemar Holder

Alzarri Joseph

Keemo Paul

Kemar Roach

Test Reserves

Nkrumah Bonner

Joshua DaSilva

Preston McSween

Shayne Moseley

Raymon Reifer

Jayden Seales

MATCH SCHEDULE

November 27: 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland

November 29: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

November 30: 3rd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

December 3-7: 1st Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton

December 11-15: 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington