West Indies have handed teenage left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes his first senior call-up for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting in Guyana. Lawes, 19, was a standout performer at the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Lawes' Rise to Prominence
Lawes' impressive stats at the Under-19 World Cup, including 10 wickets and the most dot balls bowled, caught the selectors' attention. He has been training with the senior side since the preparatory camp ahead of the home season.
- 10 wickets in ICC Under-19 World Cup
- Most dot balls bowled in the tournament
West Indies Squad for NZ Series
The 15-man squad retains the core that featured in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, with a few changes. Shimron Hetmyer is unavailable due to Major League Cricket commitments, while Shamar Springer withdrew following his mother's passing.
Keemo Paul replaces Springer in the ODI outfit. Spin-bowling coach Nikita Miller has been added to the team management to work closely with Lawes.
Series Implications
Head coach Daren Sammy emphasized the importance of the New Zealand series as part of West Indies' build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. "Every series we play from here on leading up to the 50 Over World Cup, we view them as must-win scenarios," Sammy said.
The squad will assemble in Guyana on July 8 after the conclusion of the Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua. The stage is set for an exciting series against New Zealand, with Lawes' debut adding an extra layer of anticipation.
