AFTER being recalled to the One-Day International (ODI) squad, Shimron Hetmyer was dropped from the starting XI for the second ODI against Australia on Thursday in Barbados.
In the first ODI, the talented Guyanese batsman was pushed to open and made 11 from 12 balls in the sloppy batting display by West Indies who were bowled out for 123 after being 27-6 in the eighth over. West Indies were in pursuit of 257 in 49 overs and lost by 133 runs (D/L method); captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with 56 while the only other persons to reach double figures were bowlers Hayden Walsh Jr (20) and Alzarri Joseph (17). But it was Hetmyer who faced the axe when the prolific Shai Hope returned from injury which kept him out of the first match.
Daren Ganga, the former Trinidad and Tobago captain turned-international-cricket commentator, who is actively part of the ongoing series, expressed dismay over the decision.

Ganga posted Thursday evening: “Now that all precautions have been taken after a COVID -19 test returned positive for a non-playing member of West Indies team, it’s incredulous that @shetmyer was not named in the WI playing XI today. Please help me comprehend this! Surely a more ‘egalitarian approach required’.”

During the recently concluded five-match T20I series between the two sides, the pugnacious left-hander made 81 runs in three innings at an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 132.78, with a highest score of 61 off 36 balls. The second ODI in Barbados was suspended moments before the first ball was due to be bowled after reports of a positive COVID-19 test emerged. A short while later, a CWI spokesman confirmed the match had been “postponed”, with more details to come.
The toss had already taken place with teams named when the situation began to unfold.
West Indies XI read: Shai Hope (wkp.), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (capt.), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell. There is no certainty as yet when the series will continue and how it will affect the Pakistan series which is scheduled to start July 27 in Barbados.