Romario Shepherd Replaces Dwayne Bravo For New Zealand Tour
Romario Shepherd has been picked as Dwayne Bravo's replacement in West Indies' T20 squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand. The West Indies right arm bowler suffered a groin injury while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL.
Fast bowler Romario Shepherd has been picked as Dwayne Bravo‘s replacement in West Indies’ T20 squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand. The West Indies right arm bowler suffered a groin injury while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL which ruled him out of the league.
In the last few months, the 37-year old suffered quite a few injuries. He also missed the entire 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the Trinbago Knight Riders. Even in the ongoing IPL, he was out in the first few matches of CSK. He has played six games in the ongoing tournament and scored only seven runs in two innings. However, he got six wickets in as many games with an economy rate of 8.57.
Need To Get Myself Stronger Again: Dwayne Bravo
“I was really looking forward to the tour of New Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon in Sri Lanka back in March and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 WC next year,” Bravo said.
“Unfortunately, the injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour. I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment. I’m fully committed to representing the West Indies and I just need to get myself stronger again,” Bravo added.
Great Opportunity For Me: Romario Shepherd
Notably, Shepherd made his debut early this year, he played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the team which reached the semi finals of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He has played only a couple of T20Is took six wickets at an economy rate of 7.31.
“This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands. I was in the team before, last year and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game so I’m ready,” Shepherd said.
West Indies are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests in New Zealand. The first T20I will be played at Eden Park in Auckland. The Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will play hosts to the other two T20Is. Hamilton and Wellington are the venues for the two-match Test series.
Updated T20I Squad:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Romario Shepherd, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams
