Sammy banking on Alzarri, Shamar fitness for T20 World Cup

HAMILTON, New Zealand:

The West Indies' fast bowling duo of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are expected to recover in time to participate in next year's International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup.

That is according to head coach Daren Sammy, who said while both pacers have been ruled out of action for the rest of the year, he was optimistic they would be available to participate in the marquee event, which is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8.

Alzarri was ruled out of the Test series against India with a back injury, while Shamar, who also missed the Test series, was scrapped from the tour of Bangladesh due to a shoulder injury.

Speaking during a virtual press conference hosted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday, Sammy said he was hopeful they would return when the West Indies face Afghanistan and South Africa in warm-up series before the start of the World Cup.

"Alzarri is doing his rehab in Antigua. Both of them saw a specialist; Shamar, on his way from Bangladesh, stopped in England to see a shoulder specialist and from the reports I'm seeing from the medical team he was supposed to just rest the shoulder for a bit.

"I think whatever procedure that was done, he was just supposed to not do anything strenuous, let the shoulder heal and I think probably next week or so he will start his physical rehab," Sammy said.

"We know we won't see them in any cricket for the rest of the year, but our Future Tours programme; we have Afghanistan in January and we have South Africa right before the World Cup, so we're pushing for these two guys to be available for selection going into the World Cup.

"The rehab is coming along nicely, and I really hope that when we select the World Cup squad they will be in contention and in a position to be selected," he added.

- CMC