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Russell Returns, Shai Hope To Lead As West Indies Name T20I Squad For Australia Series

Aakash Saini

Andre Russell returns for T20Is vs Australia [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]Andre Russell returns for T20Is vs Australia [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named a 16-player West Indies squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia. Seasoned campaigner and T20 globetrotter Andre Russell will be making his return to the national line-up, after missing the three-match series in Ireland last month.

The West Indies selection committee has also included young uncapped stars in the form of Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades.

WI Combine Youth With Experience For AUS T20Is

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has assembled pretty much the same squad, barring a few exceptions, from their last month’s three-match T20I trip to Ireland. With Shai Hope set to reprise his role as captain, he will be accompanied by fellow T20 stars like Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Brandon King, Rovman Powell among others.

Andre Russell, who missed the Ireland series owing to his MLC 2025 commitment for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, has been recalled back to the national setup. Experienced international cricketers aside, CWI has also named two uncapped players, namely Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades.

Andrew, a teenage batting sensation from the West Indies, has previously played three ODI matches. The 18-year-old has also played 10 competitive T20 games so far in his career. Blades, on the other hand, is a left-arm fast bowler with an experience of 14 T20 matches. The 23-year-old also previously played an ODI for the West Indies back in December 2024 against Bangladesh last year.

West Indies Squad For T20I Series Vs Australia

Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd.

After losing the Test series 0-3, West Indies will now face Australia in a five-match T20I rubber between July 20 and July 28. The matches will be hosted by Sabina Park in Kingston and Warner Park in Basseterre.

Ahead of the series, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy stated that his team’s primary focus is to improve its ICC ranking and build towards a competitive T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka next year.