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Why Have West Indies Not Picked Shimron Hetmyer for ODIs against England & Ireland?
Follow UsThe southpaw is currently playing in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals
Shai Hope-led West Indies have announced their squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against England and Ireland. However, one notable absentee from the squad is left-handed batter Shimron Hetmyer, who is currently with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Hetmyer has scored 216 runs at a strike rate of nearly 147, with just one fifty in 11 innings. RR are out of contention for a place in the IPL 2025 playoffs and are currently ninth on the table with six points from 12 matches.
RR play their last match of the competition on May 16, and Hetmyer could still be picked for either of the series, if he or West Indies wish to at some point.
Jewel Andrew, who played his only ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in October last year, returns to the squad. Amir Jangoo, who hit a 79-ball ton on ODI debut against Bangladesh in December 2024, too, would hope to get a long run.
The matches against Ireland and England are key for West Indies, who are currently ninth in the ICC ODI rankings, as they look to push for an automatic qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"These matches form a critical component towards the 2027 World Cup and there are signs of the team building consistency following the series sweep against Bangladesh and the win over England late last year," West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said.
"We expect the conditions to be challenging but we are creating a culture and mindset which emphasise playing the brand of cricket that is taking us closer to some of our overall objectives."
Former pacer Ravi Rampaul will replace James Franklin as West Indies' bowling coach, while former all-rounder Kevin O'Brien will lead the side for the Ireland leg of the tour. The three-match ODI against Ireland will begin on May 21, while the England ODIs will begin from May 29, followed by three T20Is. West Indies are yet to announce their squad for the T20I series.
West Indies ODI squad for Ireland Series
Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd