T20 hero Brathwaite axed from ODI squad
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Twenty20 World Cup star, Carlos Brathwaite, has been dropped from the West Indies one-day squad to face Pakistan in the three-match series bowling off Friday in Guyana.
The 28-year-old all-rounder, the T20 captain, was one of two changes to the squad whitewashed by England last month, with Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite also omitted.
They have been replaced by wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton and fast bowler Miguel Cummins in the 13-man squad which will again be led by Test captain Jason Holder.
Carlos Brathwaite’s one-day form had come under the microscope in recent series and the scrutiny intensified following his struggles last month against England.
A big-hitting lower order batsman, he managed 42 runs in three innings and failed to take a single wicket in 24 overs, which also proved expensive.
Brathwaite also flopped in the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe last November with 42 runs in three outings and just six wickets.
Overall, he averages 13 with the bat from 23 ODIs and averages 47 with the ball, having taken 21 wickets.
The Barbadian, who presided over the Windies 3-1 defeat in the four-match T20 series against Pakistan which ended Sunday, will now turn his attention to his commitments to Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League starting later this week.
Kraigg Brathwaite, meanwhile, has been dropped after a run of poor form which saw him gather a single half-century in 10 ODIs, while averaging 27.
The 24-year-old, who has tasted success in Tests with his ultra-patient batting style, looked out of place against England and ill-suited to the one-day format.
His three innings yielded a mere 61 runs.
The 31-year-old Walton, who played the last of his five ODIs three years ago, has been handed the opportunity to revive his career, with Windward Islands Volcanoes stroke-maker Sunil Ambris once again overlooked despite his prolific scoring this year.
The second ODI is scheduled for next Sunday with the final game set for April 11.
SQUAD — Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton.
