Bravo recalled by Windies after three-year T20 exile

St George’s: Dwayne Bravo was recalled to the West Indies squad on Sunday, more than three years after his last appearance as the Caribbean side build-up to the defence of their World Twenty20 title.

The 36-year-old all-rounder, a two-time World T20 winner, was named in a 13-man squad for a three-match series against Ireland later this month.

However, the West Indies are thinking long-term with the next World Cup in the game’s shortest format taking place in Australia in October and November.

Bravo last played for the T20 side against Pakistan in September 2016 before he quit to concentrate on franchise cricket.

“Dwayne Bravo was recalled with the specific intention of bolstering our ‘death’ bowling which was identified as an area that really needs improving,” said West Indies chief selector Roger Harper.

“His record in this department speaks for itself. He will also be able to act as a mentor to the other ‘death’ bowlers and lend his experience wherever needed.”

Bravo has played 66 T20 internationals for West Indies, taking 52 wickets and scoring 1,142 runs. However, his career has often been controversial. He played the last of his 40 Tests in 2010 and was dumped as ODI skipper in 2014 after leading a walkout during a tour of India over a pay dispute.

Fellow all-rounder, Rovman Powell has also been recalled having played 23 T20 internationals. Jason Holder, the team’s regular skipper, is being rested just as he was for the three ODIs against Ireland, a series which ended Sunday.

West Indies T20 squad to face Ireland: Kieron Pollard (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Lendl Simmons, Hayden Walsh, Kesrick Williams

Schedule: 1st T20: Wednesday, Jan 15, Grenada 2nd T20: Saturday, Jan 18, St Kitts 3rd T20: Sunday, Jan 19, St Kitts.