…. Injury rules star all-rounder Fabian Allen out
GUYANESE left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has been called up as a reserve to the West Indies Team after an ankle injury ruled dynamic all-rounder Fabian Allen out of the ongoing World T20 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Allen’s spot in the 15-man squad is replaced by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein while Motie joins Jason Holder, Darren Bravo and Sheldon Cottrell on the reserve list.
According to a Cricket West Indies (CWI) release yesterday, Allen has an unhealed right ankle injury which he sustained during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).
Motie is due to fly to the UAE where he will be able to join the West Indies squad as a reserve, once he has completed the six days of mandatory quarantine with the required negative COVID-19 test result.
Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector indicated Allen was looking forward to playing in the World T20 and noted his all-around capabilities “will be missed by the team”
Allen was tipped to be an automatic pick, especially for his left-arm spin and extremely handy lower-order contribution, along with his exceptional fielding.
Harper hoped that Hosein could continue the good form he has shown throughout the year.
On Motie’s call-up, he stated, “I also congratulate Gudakesh Motie whose performances in CG Insurance Super50 and CPL have resulted in his being added to the reserves as spin-bowling cover.”
At this year’s Super50, the 26-year-old was the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in seven innings at an average of 16.64, and an impressive economy rate of 4.56.
He backed that up in his debut Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with eight wickets in six innings at an average of 15.50 and an economy rate of 6.52.
Motie joins Shimron Hetmyer as the two Guyanese players – part of the West Indian contingent in the UAE.
Additionally, CWI selectors have also requested that Dominic Drakes and Odean Smith remain in the UAE following their recent IPL engagements.
The two young fast bowlers will train with the West Indies squad as net bowlers during the squad’s preparations this week.
West Indies are two-time and defending ICC T20 World Cup Champions and will be going in search of an unprecedented third title and back-to-back T20 World Cup Tournament wins.
West Indies’ first match is on Saturday, October 23 against England at the Dubai International Stadium in the first of West Indies’ Group games in the Super 12 stage of the tournament.
Match time is 10:00hrs.
FULL SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice-Captain), Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr
Travelling Reserves: Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Jason Holder Gudakesh Motie