John Campbell called up for NZ ODIs as injuries continue to shorten the pool of players to select for West Indies.
West Indies opener John Campbell has been called up for the three-match series against New Zealand, which begins on Sunday, six years after he last played an ODI. Johann Layne, a fast bowler, and Shamar Springer, a seam bowling all-rounder, were called up to the ODI team for the first time. Matthew Forde, a quick bowler, also made a comeback after suffering a dislocated shoulder during the T20Is against New Zealand.
The three took the place of injured left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds and spinners Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie from the team that faced Bangladesh last month. Jediah Blades, Shamar Joseph, and Alzarri Joseph were also sidelined due to injury.
In the Bangladesh series, Campbell took over for fellow starter Brandon King. In the series that West Indies lost 2-1, King scored 44, 0, and 18. With four single-digit scores in his last five appearances during the Bangladesh and New Zealand series, his T20I form has also diminished.
After playing well in red-ball cricket, including an outstanding century in the second Test match against India in Delhi last month, Campbell was called up. With 278 runs at a strike rate of 102.20 in seven games, he was Jamaica’s top run scorer in the Super50 Cup last season. Interestingly, none of the competition’s top ten run scorers scored at a quicker rate.
After making his Test debut during the tour of India last month, Layne was called up. Despite his impressive performance in red-ball cricket, he has only made 12 List-A appearances and claimed 13 wickets in that format. In addition to Springer, Forde, and Justin Greaves, Layne will finish the seam assault against New Zealand, which also includes Romario Shepherd and Jayden Seales.
Along with Keacy Carty and Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, who made his ODI debut in Bangladesh, retained his place in Shai Hope’s 15-man team.
On Sunday, the first ODI between New Zealand and the West Indies will take place in Christchurch. The second and third matches will take place in Napier and Hamilton, respectively.