Shane Dowrich Announces 'Shocking' International Retirement Days After Earning a Recall
Shane Dowrich after scoring a century for West Indies (X.com)
In a shocking turn of events, wicketkeeper-batter Shane Dowrich has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, rendering him unavailable for the three-match ODI series against England, which begins on December 3 in Antigua.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on November 30, confirmed that Dowrich, who last played international cricket in 2020, has decided to retire from international cricket.
Approximately 10 days prior, Dowrich had earned a national recall for the upcoming England series on the back of strong performances in the Super50 Cup where he accumulated 234 runs in five innings at an average of 78 and a strike rate of 91.76.
The 32-year-old made his international debut against Australia in Dominica in 2015. In 35 Tests, he scored 1,570 runs, including three centuries, with a top score of 125 not out against Sri Lanka in Trinidad in 2018. With gloves in hand, he took 85 catches and affected five stumpings. Dowrich, who captained the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the recently concluded Super50 Cup, played one ODI in Ireland in May 2019.
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CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe expressed gratitude for Dowrich's contributions and acknowledged his decision to retire. Bascombe praised Dowrich's discipline, hard work, and memorable performances, particularly highlighting his gritty hundred against England in the 2019 Test series.
“We want to thank Shane for contribution when he played for West Indies. He is a disciplined, hard-working cricketer who always gave his utmost in front and behind the stumps. He had a memorable series in 2019 when he made an outstanding Test century on home soil in Barbados to help us beat England and win the Wisden Trophy. We respect his decision to retire and appreciate it is not an easy one to make. We wish him all the best as he steps away from the international stage," said Miles Bascombe.
Dowrich's retirement comes amidst controversy over Darren Bravo's exclusion from the West Indies ODI team despite being the top run-scorer in the regional 50-over tournament.
According to the CWI release, no replacement will be called for Dowrich. With his absence, Shai Hope will take on the dual role of captaincy and wicketkeeping, as Nicholas Pooran is presently unavailable for ODIs.
The three-match series will commence with two ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on December 3 and 6, followed by the third and final ODI at Kensington Oval on December 9.
West Indies ODI squad to face England (Updated): Shai Hope (c & wk), Alzarri Joseph (vx), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.
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