WI vs IRE Series: With ICC ODI Super League on mind, West Indies ‘VERY DESPERATE’ for a win, check why?

WI vs IRE Series – ICC ODI Super League: Under-fire West Indies will lock horns with Ireland in a three-match ODI series starting on 8 January at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The Men in Maroon are looking to start the year fresh after a fairly poor show in recent times in white-ball cricket – Follow WI vs IRE Series LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN & LIVE Streaming on FanCode. 

ICC ODI Super League: West Indies last played an ODI series against Australia at home during July last year and lost the series 1-2. After the T20 World Cup, where they finished just ahead of last-placed Bangladesh in the group stage and failed to qualify for the knockouts, they toured Pakistan for a three-match T20 series where they were blanked 0-3 by Babar Azam’s men.West Indies are now in a desperate need to get back to winning ways and this series against Ireland gives them the best opportunity to do it.

West Indies are bolstered by the return of Kieron Pollard who missed the last series against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup. He will lead both the ODI and the T20 side.

West Indies will play this series without their opener Evin Lewis, who has been tested Covid Positive along with fellow batsman Anderson Phillip and all-rounder Fabian Allen.

With Evin Lewis missing out, while it was expected that this series at Jamaica would provide a perfect farewell for Chris Gayle, surprisingly the veteran batsman was not picked in the squad. Without Lewis and Gayle, Devon Smith is expected to partner Shai Hope at the top of the order  for his series.

Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard should fire with the bat in the middle order and handy contributions from Roston Chase and Jason Holder are also much-needed for the hosts at the moment. The pace bowling line-up is led by Alzarri Joseph which also has an in-form Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith, who is yet to make his ODI debut. Much is also expected from former skipper Jason Holder who has the knack of picking up crucial wickets and breaking partnerships.

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr has been omitted from the ODI squad and it will be helmed by Roston Chase, along with left-arm spinners Akeal Hossein and 26-year-old Gudakesh Motie, who is yet to make his ODI debut.

ICC ODI Super League:

West Indies are currently placed eighth in the ICC ODI Super League table.They  have played 9 matches, winning four games and losing five.  Since only the teams finishing within the top eight are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, with tough tours against England and India coming up later for the Windies, this series becomes a must-win for the Men in Maroon to consolidate their position within the top-eight.

ODI Squad: Kieron Pollard, Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Akeal Hossain, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas