(Cricket News) Brandon King has been appointed as an interim skipper of the West Indies side for their upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa. Rovman Powell, the designated skipper is unavailable for the series, as he is still in India for the Indian Premier League.

West Indies will not be playing with their full-strength side as many of their main-team players still with their respective franchises at the IPL. Shimron Hetmyer alongside Powell are a part of Rajasthan Royals, whereas Russell and Rutherford are with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Alzarri Joseph will also not feature against the Proteas as he is with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Apart from those who are still a part of the IPL, the West Indies Cricket Board have also rested Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran after their long season at the IPL with their respective franchises. Pacer Shamar Joseph has however been added to the side. He was a part of the Lucknow Super Giants, but got to play just a solitary game this season.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have also confirmed that Joseph and Rutherford will be later added to the squad in case RCB and KKR do not reach the final. Roston Chase will be working alongside King as his deputy for the series. Chase has recently led the West Indies ‘A’ side in Nepal in the absence of King.

“We have not played together as a team since the Australia series, but we just completed a very high-intensity training camp in Antigua,” White Ball Head Coach Daren Sammy said. “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.”

Squad: Brandon King (C), Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mathew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh

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