Holder, Russell rested for T20 Series against South Africa

Veteran all-rounders Jason Holder and Andre Russell were the significant absentees for the West Indies’ upcoming T20 series against South Africa, which bowls off this Friday.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the15-member squad recently to play in the three-match series which will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

While Rovman Powell has been retained as captain, Roston Chase will serve as his deputy, neither Holder nor Russell was named.

Director of Cricket at CWI, Miles Bascombe said, “Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder, who played five back-to-back five Tests against England and South Africa.”

“During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team,” Bascombe revealed.

The West Indies won four of their last five T20 series and head coach Daren Sammy said he expected the team to do well.

“Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan. We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series.”

“I’m confident in the squad we’ve selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success,” Sammy said.

The West Indies have also made three changes to their T20 World Cup squad. Added to the squad is left-arm spinner Fabian Allen, fast bowler Matthew Forde and batsman Alick Athanaze, who also took part in the just concluded Test series.

Opener Brandon King, who was injured in the T20 World Cup, along with pacer Alzarri Joseph is also absent from the squad.