NEWS
Follow UsFollowing impressive form in white-ball cricket of late, West Indies batter Johnson Charles has been added to the West Indies squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. He replaces spinner Gudakesh Motie, who is yet to recover from a lower back injury, in the 15-member squad.
Charles has made the most of the opportunity presented to him so far in the One-Day International (ODI) series against the UAE at Sharjah with a 47-ball 63 in the second ODI. Before that, he hit a quickfire 24 to help his side clinch the series.
Not to forget, in March, Charles smashed 118 off just 46 deliveries against South Africa in a T20 International (T20I) at Centurion. He was also picked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Litton Das, but did not feature in the tournament.
“[Charles] is experienced at the international level, he will add value to the team for what will be a very important tournament,” West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes said.
“He also has knowledge of the Zimbabwe conditions having played ODI matches there before, so we see him as the right man for the job at this stage.”
The World Cup Qualifiers will get underway on June 18, with the West Indies taking on Zimbabwe on the same day. The two-time champions also take on Nepal (June 22), Zimbabwe (June 24) and Netherlands (June 26) in Group A. The top three teams from each group will qualify for the Super 6.
Eventually, the top two teams from the tournament will earn a spot in the World Cup, scheduled to be played in India in October-November this year.
West Indies squad for World Cup Qualifiers: Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd
