ODI World Cup 2023: ‘Shimron Hetmyer was available, not selected,’ clarifies West Indies chief selector Desmond Haynes

West Indies men’s chief selector Desmond Haynes has informed that Shimron Hetmyer has made himself available for the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, but has not been selected, according to ESPNcricinfo.

He further said that the selectors want to keep the same team which did well in the white-ball series in South Africa earlier this year. Hetmyer has impressed one and all with his recent performances in the Indian Premier League tournament. He has played 13 matches in the IPL so far where he has scored 254 runs at a strike rate of 150.30.

However, he was not a part of the World Cup qualifiers squad and the three-match ODI series against UAE in Sharjah. Hence, Haynes believes it would be appropriate to stick with those who did well in South Africa. West Indies drew the ODI series 1–1 and won the T20I series 2–1.

“Yes, Hetmyer was available. He sent through an email or correspondence to Jimmy (Adams), our director of cricket, saying he was available for the tour,” Haynes was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“What we selectors decided to do was that we had a new (ODI) captain in Shai Hope and he was very happy to express his views about the kind of camaraderie that was in the team in South Africa. Were.

He added, “The selectors saw the commitment, we saw a real change in their approach to ODI cricket and we thought it was only fair to have these guys on board.”

Hetmyer hasn’t played ODI cricket for West Indies since July 2021 and last played T20I for West Indies in August 2022. The West Indies selector clarified that no player has been dropped from the selection.

“However, I must say that I just want to let the public know that no one has been ruled out of selection for the West Indies. We do not have the ability to rule out anyone for selection,” he added.