Understand the reasons behind the absence of these West Indies players from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Explore the factors influencing their non-participation.
The West Indies cricket team, serving as co-hosts for the T20 World Cup 2024, is regarded as a formidable contender, supported by their strong performance in recent T20 matches.
West Indies’ strong batting in the T20 World Cup 2024
The West Indies’ formidable batting prowess in the T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off with a Group C showdown against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Guyana’s Providence Stadium on the tournament’s inaugural day. Under the leadership of captain Rovman Powell, the West Indies flaunt a formidable batting arsenal featuring the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Sherfane Rutherford, positioning them as strong candidates for making significant strides in the tournament.
5 players from West Indies from 2022 T20 World cup who didn’t make it to 2024 edition:
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, the West Indies relied on a number of pivotal players whose impactful performances greatly influenced the team’s success. However, the absence of these players from the 2024 edition raises concerns about the team’s lineup and tactical approach for the forthcoming tournament.
1. Kyle Mayers
Kyle Mayers didn’t have a great time at the 2022 T20 World Cup. He played in three matches but only managed to score 34 runs in total. He didn’t take any wickets as a bowler either. After that, he didn’t perform well in T20 matches, failing to score any fifties in 11 innings. He got dropped from the team. However, he did well in the Bangladesh Premier League, scoring 243 runs in six innings. Despite being a good all-rounder, he’s not in the 2024 squad, probably because there are new players coming up, and the team needs more consistent performers.
2. Shamarh Brooks
Shamarh Brooks didn’t do well in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He played in only two matches and scored just 4 runs from 12 balls. His batting average was only 2.00, and he didn’t hit any boundaries. Because of his poor performance and maybe because he’s getting older, he won’t be playing in the 2024 edition. The team is looking for better batters who can perform consistently.
3. Evin Lewis
Evin Lewis, known for his powerful batting at the start of the game, played three matches in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored 42 runs from 49 balls, with his highest score being 15. His average was 14.00, and his strike rate was 85.71. Lewis hit only 2 fours and 1 six, showing he struggled against the bowlers. Despite his previous good performances in T20 cricket, he won’t be playing in the 2024 squad. This is probably because he’s been inconsistent lately, having a big innings followed by lots of low scores, and the team wants players who are in better form.
4. Odean Smith
Odean Smith, who can bat and bowl, played three matches in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored 25 runs from 22 balls, with his highest score being 19 not out. His batting average was 25.00, and his strike rate was 113.63. Smith hit 1 four and 2 sixes. As a bowler, he took 2 wickets for 85 runs in 9 overs, with an average of 42.50 and an economy rate of 9.44. Despite showing potential, he won’t be in the 2024 squad, maybe because he hasn’t been consistent enough with both batting and bowling.
5. Jason Holder
Jason Holder, an important player for West Indies, played three matches in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored 42 runs from 36 balls, with his highest score being 38. His average was 21.00, and he struck at 116.66. Holder hit 4 fours and 1 six. He was also good with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 49 runs in 10.2 overs, with an average of 9.80 and an economy rate of 4.74. His best bowling figures were 3/12.
Holder was supposed to play in the T20 World Cup but got injured while playing for Worcestershire in England. Obed McCoy will replace him in the team, which is a big change for West Indies.