Youngsters eager to display their mettle in Twenty20 series against India: Floyd Reifer, West Indies coach

After the disappointment of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, India and West Indies square off in a series of three Twenty20 Internationals, three ODIs and two Tests in the Caribbean. While the West Indies finished eighth, India was knocked out in the semi-final of the World Cup with an 18-run loss to New Zealand in Old Trafford. Now, with the World T20 to be played in Australia next year, the focus now shifts to creating a core team for the marquee event next year. West Indies are the two-time World T20 champions and they will be determined to continue their dominance against India in a format which they love. West Indies were whitewashed 3-0 in their last series against India but they enjoy a superior advantage at home, winning three out of five with one game being washed out.

Speaking during a training camp in Florida, West Indies coach Floyd Reifer has said the team has a good mixture of youth and experience. "We have players like (Kieron) Pollard and (Sunil) Narine making a return to the team as well as the captain Carlos Brathwaite and they have a lot of experience at this level and in this format. The team is young, and we like to mix the experienced players with the youth. We have a very good blend. We are looking forward to the matches here in Florida. It should be a very exciting weekend, we lots of entertainment for the fans," Reifer said.

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The sqaud also consists of youngsters like Khary Pierre and reserve wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble. Pierre had played one Twenty20 International during the 2018 tour of India and Reifer added that youngsters are eager to show their talent in the upcoming series. "We have young Khary Pierre, a very good spinner, he played in India last year and he bowled quite well. He is also a good fielder. Bramble has been around first-class cricket for a while, and he has played some very good innings for Guyana. He toured with the West Indies B team to Canada and did a great job as captain. You can see how eager he is to get out there on the park and perform at this level," Reifer said.

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West Indies will play three Twenty20 Internationals beginning on August 3 and August 4 in Florida as well as the final match on August 6 in Guyana. After the Twenty20 series, India will play three ODIs followed by two Tests which will be part of the new World Test Championship, which has already begun with the Ashes contest between England and Australia at Edgbaston.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• India has won only one T20I against West Indies in the Caribbean.
• India defeated West Indies 3-0 in the last T20I series.
• India will play three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests in West Indies tour.