West Indies Expand Bowling Pool Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup, Rest Key Players for Nepal Series

West Indies Expand Bowling Pool Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup, Rest Key Players for Nepal Series

With an eye on the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, West Indies are taking strategic steps to broaden their bowling options. The team management has named a youthful and largely experimental 15-man squad for the upcoming T20I series against Nepal in Sharjah, scheduled for the end of September 2025. The tour is seen as a critical opportunity to assess new talent, particularly in the bowling department.

The selectors have included five uncapped players, most notably left-arm pacer Ramon Simmonds, legspinner Zishan Motara, and legspin-bowling allrounder Navin Bidaisee. Also called up are batter Ackeem Auguste and Karima Gore, a former USA international who is now eligible to play for West Indies.

CWI's Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe described the tour as “strategic,” acknowledging that bowling has been a “bit of an Achilles’ heel” for West Indies in white-ball formats in recent years.

“We have tried to bolster the support for the bowling group,” Bascombe said. “This tour of Nepal gives us a great platform to try new combinations and unearth talent with the World Cup in mind.”

High-Profile Coaching Support

In a bid to sharpen the bowling unit, the squad will be accompanied by a support staff heavily focused on bowling development. Rayon Griffith will serve as head coach, with Ottis Gibson joining as fast-bowling consultant. Former players Nikita Miller and Jerome Taylor will act as assistant coaches.

Gibson’s presence is seen as a major asset, given his global experience in developing fast bowlers and his previous stints with West Indies and England.

Senior Players Rested, Hetmyer Unavailable

Full-time head coach Daren Sammy explained that several senior players have been rested due to workload concerns. These include Gudakesh Motie (currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the CPL), Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd. All of them have had a packed schedule in recent months.

“Rovman has been managing a wrist injury and pushed through the CPL. He requested time off to address it further,” Sammy said. “Motie, Shepherd, and Rutherford were all given rest due to their workload.”

However, Shimron Hetmyer made himself unavailable for the Nepal series. Sammy acknowledged Hetmyer's inconsistency in the ongoing CPL but stressed that the batter remains in contention for future selection.

“When I call someone to say they’ve been selected, I have to ask if they accept. We don’t own the players. Hettie remains a very talented player and is always available for selection from our side,” Sammy said.

Spotlight on Breakout League Graduates

Sammy highlighted the Breakout League, a new T20 developmental competition introduced earlier this year, as a key source of new talent. One of its standouts, Navin Bidaisee, earned praise from Sammy for his control and consistency.

“He reminds me of Samuel Badree — someone who can bowl in the powerplay and in the middle overs. Very consistent in the good-length area,” Sammy said.

Sammy emphasized the importance of two types of bowlers West Indies have lacked in recent T20 campaigns — wristspinners and left-arm seamers. He pointed out the emergence of Nathan Edward, a promising young left-arm quick from the U-19 level, as well as the CPL form of Ramon Simmonds, who took 13 wickets at an economy of 8.05.

“Every top T20 team in the world has a left-arm seamer. We've never had two playing together — maybe not even three. It’s time to change that,” Sammy noted.

“The way Ramon Simmonds has been bowling in all phases of the game gives us confidence. And to top that, having someone like Ottis Gibson working with him is a win-win.”

Injury Updates

Matthew Forde, who dislocated his shoulder in August and missed the Pakistan ODIs, was not considered for this tour. However, CWI is hopeful that he will return in time for the upcoming Bangladesh series in October.

Upcoming Schedule

  • Nepal T20I series (Sharjah) – End of September 2025

  • Bangladesh Tour – Six white-ball matches in October

  • New Zealand Tour – Five T20Is and three ODIs

With the 2026 T20 World Cup fast approaching, West Indies appear focused on development, experimentation, and building depth — especially in their bowling department — as they look to bounce back from recent white-ball inconsistencies.

Uncapped Players in Squad for Nepal Series:

  • Ramon Simmonds (Left-arm pacer)

  • Zishan Motara (Legspinner)

  • Navin Bidaisee (Legspin-bowling allrounder)

  • Ackeem Auguste (Batter)

  • Karima Gore (Allrounder, ex-USA international)

This tour may serve as a pivotal chapter in the West Indies’ T20 rebuild.