Kieron Pollard returns to captain West Indies for Ireland and England white-ball series

A hamstring problem ruled the skipper out of the Pakistan tour and he is back to full fitness, but three players are ruled out due to Covid-19 positives

West Indies men will welcome back captain Kieron Pollard from injury for the upcoming white-ball matches against Ireland and England.

The white-ball skipper missed the eventually curtailed tour of Pakistan with a hamstring injury.

But the Windies are without several players due to recent Covid-19 positives, with Evin Lewis, Anderson Phillip and Fabian Allen all laid low.

Allen has recovered from the ankle injury which ruled him out of the men's T20 World Cup bit will miss the matches against Ireland.

The Irish themselves have been hit by Covid withdrawals, with Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate isolating and set to miss the first ODI next weekend.

Obed McCoy is also missing as he continues to undergo rehab on a shin injury.

Jason Holder is included in both squads but there is no place for Andre Russell following a spell in the Big Bash League with Melbourne Stars.

The Windies face Ireland in three one-day internationals (January 8, 11 and 14) which make-up part of the Cricket World Cup Super League and a stand-alone T20I (January 16), all of which will be staged at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

^{Evin Lewis is among those laid low by Covid (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)}

England are then the visitors for a five-match T20 series at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on January 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30.

“We have tried to maintain the general make-up of the squads from the Pakistan Tour before Christmas, with the captain and some senior players coming back in," said head coach Phil Simmons.

"COVID-19 has also played a part in the final make-up of the squad. The challenges in the next couple of months are getting the young players in both squads to not only improve on their skills but maintain the attitude and desire we saw in Pakistan.

“We do need to start the year on a high. And we know both Ireland and England have very good teams, so we expect a very strong challenge."

West Indies ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas

Covid reserves: Keacy Carty, Sheldon Cottrell

West Indies T20 squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Fabian Allen (England T20Is only), Darren Bravo (England T20Is only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akel Hosein, Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr

Covid reserves: Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Devon Thomas

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