WI vs ENG: Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran Return as West Indies Announce Squad For First 2 T20Is

Big names Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran return as West Indies announced a strong squad for the first two T20Is of the five-match series against England, scheduled to be held from Saturday (November 9) to November 17.

All-rounder Russell and wicketkeeper-batter Pooran, who had missed the recent tour to Sri Lanka, make a comeback to the T20I side along with spinner Akeal Hosein and batter Shimron Hetmyer. The quartet had missed the series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons.

Hetmyer featured in the bygone ODI series against England as the middle-order batter made a year-long awaited return to the One Day International side. The hard-hitting batter has played only one T20I this year with the solitary appearance coming during a series against South Africa in August.

Russell played a big part in West Indies' run to the T20 World Cup earlier this year, but has not featured for the national side since the showpiece tournament. Pooran and Hosein last played in the home series against South Africa in August.

Alzarri Joseph, who is suspended for two matches, misses out as Matthew Forde replaces the pacer for the first 2 T20Is. Forde will join Shamar Joseph, Terrance Hinds and Russell to form the pace attack.

Hosein and Gudakesh Motie will be the spin options for the Rovman Powell led side with Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase taking up the all-rounders role alongside several other versatile players in the squad.

Shai Hope, Brandon King and Evin Lewis make up the rest of the squad as the top order batters for the series scheduled to kick off with back-to-back matches in Barbados on November 9 and 10 before moving to Saint Lucia for the final games on November 14, 16, and 17. Here is a look at the full squad for the WI vs ENG T20I: