I am ready - McCarthy overjoyed at senior WI call-up

Jamaican middle-order batsman Andre McCarthy is one of many new faces that will be touring with the West Indies for their three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two Tests matches in Bangladesh next month.

McCarthy has been named in the ODI squad, which will kick off the tour in Dhaka on January 20.

The Melbourne Cricket Club player has made only one T20 appearance for the West Indies – against Pakistan in 2018. However, the right-hander is keen to grab his chance with the limited-over side come next month.

“I have been putting in the work for years and it has taken a while but I am still happy about it. It’s a journey and I am glad that I have been given the opportunity, so it’s for me to go out there and play my part,” McCarthy told The Gleaner.

McCarthy’s call-up would seem justified, as he was voted the best all-rounder in last year’s Super50 tournament, after scoring 363 runs and taking 11 wickets in eight matches for Jamaica.

The aggressive right-hander will be banking on his 2018 experience in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to get him through this biosecure tour.

“I have played in Bangladesh before, playing for Sylhet Tigers in the BPL. I know the hotels down there are nice and once the health and security protocols are observed everything should be fine,” added McCarthy.

MCCARTHY A FIGHTER

Lead selector for the West Indies, Roger Harper, says having players like McCarthy on the tour of Bangladesh will serve the young team well. The regional side will be missing a number of their senior players, who opted not to tour for COVID-19-related or personal reasons.

“If you look at the personality of Andre McCarthy, he is what I would describe as a scrapper. He is a fighter and very competitive. I expect him to sort of be the engine room of this team going to Bangladesh. He has a never-say-die attitude, and these are the type of persons you need in this type of situation,” said Harper.

Joining McCarthy in the ODI squad are compatriots Rovman Powell and Nkrumah Bonner. The one-day team will be captained by Trinidadian Jason Mohammed in the absence of the regular captain, Kieron Pollard.

Meanwhile, opener John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood are the other Jamaicans that will tour Bangladesh, as they have been named in the Test squad, which will be captained by Kraigg Brathwaite.

The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to COVID-19-related concerns or personal fears: Jason Holder, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.

Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.

West Indies Test Squad

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain)

Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain)

Nkrumah Bonner

John Campbell

Rahkeem Cornwall

Joshua Da Silva

Shannon Gabriel

Kavem Hodge

Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers

Shayne Moseley

Veerasammy Permaul

Kemar Roach

Raymon Reifer

Jomel Warrican

West Indies ODI Squad

Jason Mohammed (captain)

Sunil Ambris (vice-captain)

Nkrumah Bonner

Joshua Da Silva

Jahmar Hamilton

Chemar Holder

Akeal Hosein

Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers

Andre McCarthy

Kjorn Ottley

Rovman Powell

Raymon Reifer

Romario Shepherd

Hayden Walsh jr

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE

January 10: West Indies arrive

January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar

January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram

January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram

February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram

February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka