Shai Hope-led West Indies Name Strong 16-Member Squad For Australia T20Is

West Indies have announced their 16-member squad for the upcoming T20 International (T20I) series at home against Australia. Shai Hope will continue to lead the side, which will have two new faces in Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades, who have earned their maiden call-ups in the format.

Andrew has previously played three ODIs for West Indies between 2024 and 2025, hitting just eight runs in two innings. Left-arm seamer Blades, on the other hand, has played just one ODI, which came against Bangladesh in Basseterre last year, where he went wicketless.

18-year-old Andrew will act as a back-up wicketkeeper and has shown great intent, especially against the spinners. Blades was impressive in the West Indies Breakout League, where he was clinical in the powerplay.

West Indies have all their senior players - Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Andre Russell and Rovman Powell in the squad. Head coach Daren Sammy says that this series is crucial for his side in a bid to better the T20I rankings as they build to the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

“Our goals and strategic plans are aligned to winning the T20 World Cup in 2026. We have continuity in the squad from the previous series, and as a unit we will continue to fine-tune our style and brand ahead of the World Cup," Sammy said.

“Our previous two T20 series [3-0 whitewash vs Bangladesh] at home, we were on the wrong end of the results, but starting against Australia, we want to regain our form at home as we build momentum into next year’s World Cup with our exciting and dynamic group of players.”

The five-match T20I series will get underway in Jamaica on July 20 (Sunday). After the first two T20Is in Jamaica, the action shifts to St Kitts for the remainder of the games, with the final clash on July 28.

West Indies T20I squad for Australia Series

Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd