By Brandon Corlette
Keemo Paul is a man on a mission. Set to return to the T20I team for the first time since November 2020, this son of Guyana’s soil, who hails from the Cinderella county of Essequibo, recently played an ODI against Pakistan on June 12 2022, and has impressed Cricket West Indies Lead Selector Dr Desmond Haynes during the Regional First-Class season.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon, Dr Haynes said Paul was overused during the Four-Day tournament, in which he claimed 21 wickets, the second most in the tournament. Additionally, Paul bowled 142.2overs, the most by any fast-bowler in the tournament.
“I observed a few games in the Four-Day competition in Trinidad, and I was very impressed with Keemo. I think what I am looking for as a selector, I want to have our bowlers competing. I don’t want it to seem like we are the friendliest team in the world, we are the nicest guys; I want to see us with some attitude, where we are in people’s faces and we are telling people we are here to compete,” Dr Haynes has said.
He added: “We might not be high up in the table, but we are here to compete among the best, and I think that Keemo Paul showed me [he is] that type of person.”
As CWI Lead Selector, Dr Haynes further noted: “What my concern was, watching Keemo Paul in the Four-Day competition, was Guyana [Harpy Eagles] was overusing him, as far as I am concerned. Someone coming back from injury, you should be looking after these guys some more, so when they get the opportunity to play for West Indies, they can give us a lot.”
With four of the six white-ball matches between West Indies and Bangladesh set to be played at the Providence facility in Guyana, the 24-year-old Paul is expected to play a major role at home with both bat and ball.
“We don’t want to be in a situation where we are selecting guys and when they come into the squad they can’t give us 100% support. I was very impressed, and I think he can play a big role in our one-day side,” Dr Haynes has said of Keemo Paul.
The West Indies team for the T20 Internationals is as follows: Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jr.
The Reserve player is Dominic Drakes.
The squad for the One-Day Internationals is as follows: Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell and Jayden Seales.
The Reserve player is Romario Shepherd.