West Indies have handed a maiden senior call-up to promising left-arm wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes after naming a 15-member squad for the opening three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand. The five-match home series will begin in Guyana before moving to Barbados, with the selectors rewarding the teenager’s rapid rise through the ranks while largely retaining the core of the squad that recently faced Sri Lanka.
Vitel Lawes gets maiden call-up
The 19-year-old Lawes has been one of the brightest young spin prospects in Caribbean cricket and now has an opportunity to make his international debut. His selection comes after an impressive run of performances at the ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, where he emerged as one of the tournament’s standout bowlers.
Lawes finished the competition with 10 wickets and was particularly effective in building pressure, delivering the highest number of dot balls among all bowlers during the event. His ability to control the game with disciplined spells caught the attention of the selectors, who have closely monitored his progress over recent months.
West Indies have taken additional steps to ensure the youngster settles comfortably into the senior environment. Former West Indies spinner Nikita Miller has been included in the team management as spin-bowling coach for the Guyana leg of the series. Miller has already been working with Lawes during the team’s preparatory camp ahead of the ongoing home season, and his continued presence is expected to help the young spinner adjust to the demands of international cricket.
The decision reflects Cricket West Indies’ long-term investment in developing emerging talent while providing specialist guidance during the early stages of a player’s international career. With New Zealand known for their balanced batting lineup, Lawes could get the chance to test his skills against experienced opposition if selected in the playing XI.
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Shimron Hetmyer unavailable as Keemo Paul returns to ODI squad
Apart from Lawes’ inclusion, the West Indies squad remains largely unchanged from the group that featured in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka in Jamaica. However, there have been a couple of unavoidable changes. Explosive left-handed batter Shimron Hetmyer will miss the opening three matches after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to honour his commitments in Major League Cricket. His absence leaves West Indies without one of their most destructive middle-order batters for the initial phase of the series.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Shamar Springer made himself unavailable for selection following the passing of his mother. In his place, Keemo Paul has been recalled to the ODI setup after recently joining the Test squad as injury cover.
Captain Shai Hope will continue to lead a squad featuring several established names, including Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase and Jayden Seales. The squad is scheduled to assemble in Guyana on July 8 following the conclusion of the Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua. Cricket West Indies has also confirmed that any changes to the squad for the final two ODIs of the five-match series will be announced at a later stage.
West Indies squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand: Shai Hope (captain), Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Jayden Seales.
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