Flight issues cost Hetmyer’s place in T20 World Cup squad

|| CF DESK ||

Cricket West Indies (CWI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday that Shamarh Brooks has been named to the West Indies squad for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

The CWI Selection Panel made the decision after Shimron Hetmyer missed his re-scheduled flight to Australia, which had been moved from Saturday 1 October at his request due to family obligations.

With flight availability a major issue, a seat was secured for him to leave Guyana today, Monday 3 October, which means he will miss the first T20 International (T20I) against Australia on Wednesday 5 October at the Metricon Stadium.

Hetmyer told the Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams this morning that he would be unable to travel to the airport.

“This afternoon we informed the CWI Board of Directors that the Selection Panel had unanimously decided to replace Shimron Hetmyer with Shamarh Brooks in our T20 World Cup squad. Whilst we changed Shimron’s flight from Saturday to Monday due to family reasons, it was made clear to him that if there were any further delays and issues with his travel to Australia then we would have no choice but to replace him in the squad, as we are not prepared to compromise the team’s ability to prepare for this extremely important global event,” Adams said.

“Shamarh has been a part of our recent T20 International squads and delivered strong performances in the latter stages of the recently concluded CPL. He will fly out as soon as possible this week to Australia and I wish him and all the squad all the very best for the Tournament.” Adams added.

Before the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the West Indies will meet home team Australia in a two-match bilateral T20 International (T20I) series on October 5 at the Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast and on October 7 at the historical Gabba, in Brisbane.

West Indies Squad: Nicholas Pooran (c), Rovman Powell, Yannic Cariah, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Obed Mccoy, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith.