There is no room for Andre Russell or Chris Gayle as the West Indies announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Ireland and England in the New Year.

The West Indies starts 2022 with three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a one-off T20 match against Ireland at Sabina Park from January 8-16 before they travel to Barbados to face England in five T20Is from January 22-30.

Kieron Pollard returns from injury to lead the squad while Jason Holder also returns from time off from international duty. Meanwhile, Evin Lewis and Anderson Phillip are unavailable due to recent COVID-19 positive tests and Fabian Allen, who has recovered from ankle injury will be unavailable for the Ireland series due to a COVID-19 positive test.

Obed McCoy is unavailable due to rehab on shin injury.

Beyond that, the squad remains largely unchanged from the recent tour of Pakistan after the failed campaign at the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in the UAE, Head Coach Phil Simmons explained.   

“We have tried to maintain the general make-up of the squads from the Pakistan tour before Christmas, with the captain and some senior players coming back in,” Simmons said.

“COVID-19 has also played a part in the final make-up of the squad. The challenges in the next couple months are getting the young players in both squads to not only improve on their skills but maintain the attitude and desire we saw in Pakistan.”

The coach emphasised that it was important for the West Indies to do well in the coming series.

 “We do need to start the year on a high. And we know both Ireland and England have very good teams, so we expect a very strong challenge as we look improve our chances of automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and building the T20 team for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022,” he said.

The CG Insurance ODI Series between West Indies and Ireland will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

Full squads:

CG Insurance ODIs vs Ireland: Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas.

COVID-19 Reserves: Keacy Carty, Sheldon Cottrell.

England Series: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen (England T20Is only), Darren Bravo (England T20Is only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akel Hosein, Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.