Gibson picks WI to retain T20 title

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has described his squad selected to defend the ICC T20 trophy in Bangladesh as one mixed with IPL superstars and exciting young players. Speaking yesterday as his team prepared to face England in the upcoming three-match ODIs series at the Sir Vivian Richards ground in Antigua, Gibson said the team will obviously miss the likes of Kieron Pollard who played a big part in the victory two years ago, but he was confident the players chosen would do well. “We will definitely miss Pollard but most of the players who were present when we won the title are still around, so we have the experience to retain our title.”



Gibson noted that his team has not set the world on fire within recent times but pointed out that several top players have been absent because of injury. “We did not do well in New Zealand we went there with a depleted team and the recent series against Ireland, we did well to turn the series around. Ireland played well and deserved their win.” Gibson said it was important for the West Indies to focus on the upcoming series against England which starts in Antigua on Friday.

“We have not played great One-day cricket recently but we need to treat this series as it is—a One-day series. We are still missing Chris Gayle who has a hip injury and of course Pollard but we have home advantage and need to make it count.” He noted both England and the West Indies were currently undergoing transition. “We are both in transition and therefore need to do well. The Windies arrived in Antigua on Monday afternoon and had a full training session yesterday morning at the match venue.