Tough Bangladesh tour

Newly-appointed West Indies One Day International captain Jason Mohammed. -
Newly-appointed West Indies One Day International captain Jason Mohammed. -

NEWLY appointed West Indies One-Day International (ODI) captain Jason Mohammed believes it will be a challenging series against Bangladesh with many senior players opting not to travel next month.

West Indies will arrive in Bangladesh on January 10 for a three-match ODI series from January 20 to January 25, before playing a two-match Test series from February 3 to 15.

Mohammed will fill in for regular ODI captain Kieron Pollard and Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the Test team as Jason Holder has also chosen not to tour.

A Cricket West Indies (CWI) media release on Tuesday, said, “The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to covid19 related concerns or personal fears: Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.”

Bangladesh, a country with a population of 165,496,450, has recorded 511,261 cases of covid19 with 7,509 deaths as of Tuesday.

The release added that players won’t be victimized for selection in the future after opting not to tour overseas because of covid19.

Mohammed, 34, last played an ODI for West Indies in July, 2018 against Bangladesh in Guyana. He has scored four fifties in 28 matches at an average of 23.95. The right-handed batsman and part-time off-spinner has played 83 first-class matches.

On Tuesday, Mohammed told Newsday he is relishing the opportunity to represent the West Indies again and lead the team.

“Obviously it is a very happy feeling.

“Firstly to be selected back on the West Indies team, but to be named captain obviously it is a special feeling and I was just very happy.” Mohammed is aiming to capitalise with the bat after being overlooked.

“A great opportunity for myself to try and perform to the best that I can and obviously try and grab a spot when everyone is available and try and cement my place in the squad as well…it is not going to be easy in Bangladesh. It is always a little bit tricky.”

Discussing the team’s chances in Bangladesh, Mohammed said, “I think it is going to be difficult for us. (I am) not saying that we not going to win games or not going to win the series, but it is going to be difficult because obviously, it’s a lot of new guys…even myself having not played international cricket for two years. I think obviously the younger guys…they are very skilled and very talented.”

Mohammed said once the players work hard, believe and have team spirit West Indies can be competitive.

CWI lead selector Roger Harper, explaining to journalists on Zoom on Tuesday why Mohammed was chosen as captain, said, “We thought with a team of this nature where a number of young players (were selected and) lot of the regulars so to speak absent we needed someone with a little more experience. Someone who will be able to help to guide and nurture the young fellas on a tour like this and we thought Jason Mohammed was the best fit.”

Harper is aware that Rovman Powell is in the squad, but CWI wants him to concentrate on delivering consistent performances especially with the bat.

SQUADS

TEST

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican

ODI

Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jnr

TOUR SCHEDULE

January 10: West Indies arrive

January 18: One-day warm-up, Savar

January 20: 1st ODI, Dhaka

January 22: 2nd ODI, Dhaka

January 25: 3rd ODI, Chattogram

January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, Chattogram

February 3-7: 1st Test, Chattogram

February 11-15: 2nd Test, Dhaka

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