West Indies will kick off their tour of New Zealand with a three-match T20I series against the Kiwis starting November 27. Their roster consists of some really exciting young players this time and here, we'll take a look at five of those young guns.
Shimron Hetmyer
The 23-year-old left-handed batsman is one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket right now. Hetmyer has already featured in 25 T20Is for West Indies and is coming into this series on the back of an impressive CPL and Indian T20 League season. While Hetmyer scored 268 runs at an average of 33.38 batting mostly in the top order during the CPL, he scored 185 runs at an average of 23.12 batting in the lower middle-order for Delhi in the Indian T20 League. He is expected to be back in the top four in the West Indies lineup during this series. The short boundaries and flat decks at the venues will suit his style of batting as well.
Nicholas Pooran
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who has already represented West Indies in 21 T20Is, is coming into this series on the back of a terrific Indian T20 League season with Punjab. Pooran scored 353 runs at an average of 35.30 and his strike-rate of 169.71 was the fourth-best in the season among batsmen who had scored at least 200 runs. He had an excellent CPL season prior to that as well, during which he amassed 245 runs at 27.22 and these runs included a century as well. Like Hetmyer, he is going to enjoy the conditions in New Zealand as well.
Fabian Allen
The 25-year-old is one of the most exciting all-rounders in the T20 format at present. Allen is not only an excellent lower-order power-hitter but an effective slow left-arm orthodox spinner as well. In his 25-game T20 career so far, Allen has scored a total of 404 runs at an excellent strike-rate of 164.89. His batting average of 25.25 shows he gives consistent returns as well. His bowling returns aren't bad either as he has 16 wickets to his name at a decent economy rate of 7.43. Allen is an excellent fielder too and he has already shown that in the limited number of matches he has played.
Keemo Paul
The 22-year-old has established himself as one of West Indies' best death-bowling resources in this format. Paul has good variations up his sleeves and his ability to bowl consistent and accurate yorkers makes him a valuable bowling asset. He has played 18 T20Is for West Indies till now and picked up 24 wickets in them at an excellent strike-rate of 16.20. He is quite a handy lower-order batsman as well and that just strengthens West Indies' batting unit further.
Oshane Thomas
He does have a lot to improve but the 23-year-old is already an imposing bowler due to the pace at which he bowls and the bounce he generates with his high point of delivery. Thomas does struggle with his inconsistent line and length sometimes but it is a treat to watch him at his best. He has featured in 12 T20Is so far and picked up 15 wickets in them at a strike-rate of 17.6. That includes best figures of 5/28 against Sri Lanka as well.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Randy Brooks
