West Indies appoint Hope as ODI captain; Powell to lead in T20Is

Shai Hope has been announced as the new ODI captain of West Indies, while Rovman Powell will lead the T20I side, the Cricket West Indies announced on Wednesday (February 15). 

The two will take over the respective roles from Nicholas Pooran, who stepped down from the positions last November following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, in which West Indies failed to make it through to the main round.

“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be appointed captain of any West Indies team. To lead a team that is of such incredible significance not only to myself and my teammates but to our legion of fans the world over, is something one dreams of as a child,” said Hope, who has 4308 runs in 103 ODIs at an average of 48.4.

“The rich history and legacy that our region and our brand of cricket is so famous and loved for, requires no intricate explanation. I would like to thank CWI for entrusting me with this immense opportunity. 

“To navigate West Indies cricket in the right direction will be my fundamental priority and a task that I shall be unwaveringly committed to. With the support of my team-mates and our dedicated fans, I look forward to a long and fulfilling tenure as captain of the West Indies One-Day International team.”

Meanwhile, Powell has been the vice-captain in the shortest format of the game for a while now. The batting all-rounder led Jamaica Tallawahs to the Caribbean Premier League title in September last year before captaining the Jamaica Scorpions to the CG United Super50 Cup title in November.

“I’m truly humbled and grateful to be given this amazing opportunity to lead the West Indies. For me, this a huge vote of confidence and I see this as the greatest honour of my career. To be asked to ‘carry the flag’ for the people of the Caribbean, there’s no bigger role in cricket in the region — a job previously held by some of the greatest servants of West Indies cricket,” said Powell

“I also want to thank CWI for allowing me to guide the team in the coming years as we set sights on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which we will be jointly hosting with the USA next year. I’m a passionate cricketer who believes in leading from the front and always giving 100 percent. “

The first assignments for both skippers will be the upcoming tour of South Africa in March where West Indies will play three ODIs and as many T20Is from 16 to 28 March, following two matches in the ICC World Test Championship.