Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Rusell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Alzarri Joseph are all busy representing their IPL teams, which has led to their absence from the West Indies squad. Despite not being part of the IPL playoffs, Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran have also been rested for the series.
In their place, Shamar Joseph has been included in the squad and could make his T20I debut. Cricket West Indies has confirmed that Joseph and Rutherford will be added to the squad later if their respective IPL teams do not reach the final.
“We have not played together as a team since the Australia series, but we just completed a very high-intensity training camp in Antigua,” said White Ball Head Coach Daren Sammy. “Now we have the chance to integrate some of our players returning from the IPL and build some momentum as a group going into the World Cup.”
Roston Chase has been named as King’s deputy for this series, with the matches scheduled to take place at Sabina Park in Jamaica on May 23, 25, and 26. The squad also includes players like Jason Holder, Andre Fletcher, and Hayden Walsh, among others, who will look to perform well against South Africa in their home series.