Pooran, Matthews in ICC T20I squads, no room for Hope in ODI unit

 West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthews
West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthews

LONDON,  CMC – Nicholas Pooran and Hayley Matthews were the only West Indies players chosen in the International Cricket Council teams-of-the-year for 2023.

The 28-year-old Pooran, a former white-ball captain, was included in the Twenty20 International side while Matthews, 25, the current West Indies skipper, was also named in the T20 squad.

However, there was no room for one-day captain Shai Hope in the One-Day International squad, despite the prolific right-hander averaging 68 from 17 matches and scoring three centuries.

The sides were chosen from 11 international teams which campaigned across the five formats last year, and were identified by a panel of media representatives that comprise the ICC Voting Academy.

“The esteemed panel made their selections based on player performances during the calendar year, nominating their playing eleven to include a captain and a wicketkeeper,” the ICC said.

Pooran turned out in 13 T20 Internationals last year, averaging 29.5, with two half-centuries.

The Trinidadian was also installed as wicketkeeper in the squad, having taken ten catches and completed two stumpings.

Matthews, meanwhile, dominated the women’s format, amassing 700 runs at an average of 63 from 14 matches, scoring one hundred and four fifties.

She enjoyed a standout series against Australia last year, plundering 310 runs at an average of 155.

The Barbadian was also effective with her off-spin, taking 19 wickets at an average of 16.