Chase to lead A-team on tour of Nepal

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Seasoned Test all-rounder Roston Chase will lead a 15-man West Indies A-side on a historic five-match Twenty20 tour of Nepal starting Saturday.

The 32-year-old is a veteran of 49 Tests and 45 One-Day Internationals, and has also turned out in 11 T20 Internationals after reinventing himself in the shortest format.

Earlier this month, he struck a 10th first-class hundred and 10-wicket match haul for Barbados Pride in the West Indies Championship sixth round against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

“Chase has exhibited over the past few years an impressive work ethic and proven leadership qualities,” said chief selector Desmond Haynes.

“No doubt, since Chase made his T20I debut in October 2021 for the West Indies against Bangladesh, he has continued to make considerable strides.”

Rising star Alick Athanaze, 25, will serve as vice-captain for the April 25 to May 15 tour which is part of the Caribbean side’s preparation for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup being staged in June.

Established senior players Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul and Hayden Walsh have been named in the squad, while the likes of Kadeem Alleyne, Joshua Bishop and Mark Deyal will wear senior colours for the first time.

Both Haynes and white ball head coach Daren Sammy underscored the value of the tour.

“I am confident this Nepal tour marks a crucial step forward in our preparatory phase for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” Haynes said.

“It presents an invaluable opportunity to get our players who are not in the IPL back on the park playing competitive T20 cricket, as well as provides the chance for us to expose a few emerging prospects.”

Sammy added: “From a coaching perspective, the Nepal tour couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. It offers us a chance to refine our World Cup squad, defining roles and personnel more clearly.

“Additionally, with nine players in the IPL, we can truly gauge and push the limits of our T20 team’s depth.”

Selectors have recalled left-arm spinning all-rounder Fabian Allen, 28, after 26 months away from international cricket, while the 36-year-old Andre Fletcher has gained a call-up after last featuring for West Indies three years ago.

Established T20 International opener Brandon King misses the trip because of injury while the enigmatic Evin Lewis informed selectors of his unavailability for selection.

SQUAD – Roston Chase (captain), Alick Athanaze (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Kadeem Alleyne, Joshua Bishop, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher, Matthew Forde, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh