West Indies will kick off their tour of New Zealand with a three-match T20I series against the Kiwis starting November 27. Their roster consists of some really exciting young players this time and here, we'll take a look at five of those young guns.

Shimron Hetmyer

The 23-year-old left-handed batsman is one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket right now. Hetmyer has already featured in 25 T20Is for West Indies and is coming into this series on the back of an impressive CPL and Indian T20 League season. While Hetmyer scored 268 runs at an average of 33.38 batting mostly in the top order during the CPL, he scored 185 runs at an average of 23.12 batting in the lower middle-order for Delhi in the Indian T20 League. He is expected to be back in the top four in the West Indies lineup during this series. The short boundaries and flat decks at the venues will suit his style of batting as well.

Nicholas Pooran

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who has already represented West Indies in 21 T20Is, is coming into this series on the back of a terrific Indian T20 League season with Punjab. Pooran scored 353 runs at an average of 35.30 and his strike-rate of 169.71 was the fourth-best in the season among batsmen who had scored at least 200 runs. He had an excellent CPL season prior to that as well, during which he amassed 245 runs at 27.22 and these runs included a century as well. Like Hetmyer, he is going to enjoy the conditions in New Zealand as well.

Fabian Allen

The 25-year-old is one of the most exciting all-rounders in the T20 format at present. Allen is not only an excellent lower-order power-hitter but an effective slow left-arm orthodox spinner as well. In his 25-game T20 career so far, Allen has scored a total of 404 runs at an excellent strike-rate of 164.89. His batting average of 25.25 shows he gives consistent returns as well. His bowling returns aren't bad either as he has 16 wickets to his name at a decent economy rate of 7.43. Allen is an excellent fielder too and he has already shown that in the limited number of matches he has played.

Keemo Paul

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of West Indies' best death-bowling resources in this format. Paul has good variations up his sleeves and his ability to bowl consistent and accurate yorkers makes him a valuable bowling asset. He has played 18 T20Is for West Indies till now and picked up 24 wickets in them at an excellent strike-rate of 16.20. He is quite a handy lower-order batsman as well and that just strengthens West Indies' batting unit further.

Oshane Thomas

He does have a lot to improve but the 23-year-old is already an imposing bowler due to the pace at which he bowls and the bounce he generates with his high point of delivery. Thomas does struggle with his inconsistent line and length sometimes but it is a treat to watch him at his best. He has featured in 12 T20Is so far and picked up 15 wickets in them at a strike-rate of 17.6. That includes best figures of 5/28 against Sri Lanka as well.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Randy Brooks

Delhi are probably an outlier among IPL franchises in that they are the only team that won't be hugely crippled if the league is suddenly made all Indian with no overseas talent. Such is the strength of Indian players in their team that the overseas recruits are often mere sidekicks. That said, DC have a strong group of overseas talent and an overflow of options in certain departments. We try to identify the DC overseas players who should get maximum game time this season in the IPL.

Overseas players: Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Kagiso Rabada, Alex Carey, Daniel Sams, Anrich Nortje, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane

Kagiso Rabada

The certain first-choice pick is Kagiso Rabada, the leader of the pace attack. Even though Delhi have Indian seamers in Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel, Rabada adds a sting to the attack and is a certain starter for Delhi this season. Last year, Rabada finished with 25 wickets - one below the league topper - in 12 matches and was effective with the new ball and in the death. He should be used in a similar role this year.

Sandeep Lamichhane

While Delhi have a strong group of spinners in Amit Mishra, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Lamichhane adds an element of mystery to the attack while being potentially very dangerous in the middle overs, particularly on the slow, low wickets in Delhi. Lamichhane has recent experience of playing in the Caribbean Premier League on these kinds of wickets and should be a handful for some IPL batsmen because of his mastery.

Shimron Hetmyer

Let's face it. It's difficult to squeeze in a top-order batsman in the Delhi line-up because of the overdose of Indian batsmen there. From Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw to Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, the top order is packed. But they have got to find a way to squeeze in Hetmyer in the line-up. A simple answer could be to use him as a floater with Shreyas Iyer potentially moving down based on match situation, given that he is adept against spin-bowling. Hetmyer too is a powerful spin hitter and alongside Pant and Iyer, could be destructive against spinners in the middle overs.

Keemo Paul

This is perhaps a surprising choice given that Delhi have Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey and Daniel Sams, all Australians and favoured by head coach Ricky Ponting. But Paul is a versatile T20 player with several variations and can also wield the long handle. An effective late-order batsman and a death overs bowler, Paul will add an entirely different dimension to the Delhi attack. Given that there's no room for Stoinis at the top and his batting in the death is questionable, the Australian might have to sit most games out. The same goes for Carey who has once again thrived in the BBL in a top-order role. Paul, though, is fully aware of these conditions playing in the Caribbean and is a different player to the ones Delhi already have in their certain starting line-up.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sajjad Hussain

The first few games of the Caribbean Premier League were thrilling and action-packed.

The finest players of the format have been showcasing just why they were so highly touted before the season with their tremendous performances in the opening six matches of the new season.

With the league resuming after a day's break, we take a look at five players that everyone needs to watch out for:

Sunil Narine �?Trinbago Knight Riders 

All-rounder Sunil Narine has been incredible in the Trinbago Knight Riders�?first two matches in the Caribbean Premier League.

Narine bowled a stellar spell of 2-19 in four overs and then smashed 50 off 28 balls to guide the tournament favourites to an easy victory in the opening match of the season. 

In the second match against the Jamaica Tallawahs, Narine yet again spun a web around the batting lineup, giving away just 19 runs and picking up a wicket. Opening the innings, the 32-year-old smashed his second fifty in as many matches, scoring 53 off 38 balls to lead the Knight Riders to an easy victory.

• Twitter in awe as Sunil Narine's all-round show lights CPL 2020

Narine’s sensational form makes him our top player to watch out for.

Asif Ali �?Jamaica Tallawahs

Having come in to bat with the Tallawahs in a spot of bother at 76-3 chasing 159, Pakistani batsman Asif Ali smashed a brilliant 47 off 27 balls which included five fours and two sixes, to help his side register a victory in their opening match of the tournament.

Ali was yet again the crisis man for the Tallawahs against the Knight Riders, walking in with his team’s score reading 19-3 in just the third over. The 28-year-old played a gritty knock of 22 off 16 balls before being cleaned up by Narine. Ali has been solid so far for the Tallawahs and given the terrible state of their top order outside of Glenn Phillips, the Pakistani batsman will need to keep his form up if his side is to do well.

Shimron Hetmyer �?Guyana Amazon Warriors

Top-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been a lone warrior with the bat for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

He scored 63 off 44 balls against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Warriors�?opening match of the tournament. Hetmyer followed that up with a match-winning 71 off 44 balls against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, scoring over half of the target by himself.

The 23-year-old is in terrific form and the Warriors will be hopeful that Hetmyer can keep this going.

Keemo Paul �?Guyana Amazon Warriors

While Hetmyer has been the Warriors�?star with the bat, all-rounder Keemo Paul has been dealing damage with the ball.

The 22-year-old gave away 21 runs in his three overs against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Warriors�?opening match of the season. In their second against the Patriots, Paul picked up four wickets while conceding just 19 in his quota of four overs.

A top start for a talented young player.

Jason Holder �?Barbados Tridents 

Tridents�?skipper Jason Holder was tremendous in the reigning champions�?victory in their opening match against Patriots. 

The skipper scored 38 off 22 balls and then gave away just 21 in his quota of four overs, as his team successfully defended 153. Holder then smashed 27 off just 12 balls in the Tridents�?second match against the St. Lucia Zouks. While he did not bowl particularly well giving away 13 runs in his only over.

If you wish to raise the stakes further, Sportsbet.io has even more to offer!

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @CPL

Veteran batsman Darren Bravo was among three West Indies cricketers to turn down a place in the squad for next month's three-Test tour of England, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Wednesday.

Also missing out are fellow batsman Shimron Hetmyer and fast-bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul.

"Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour and CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so," CWI said in a statement.

"As previously stated, CWI will not hold this decision against these players when considering future selection."

Jason Holder will skipper a 14-man squad that features two newcomers in fast bowler Chemar Holder (no relation) and middle-order batsman Nkrumah Bonner. 

The squad also includes Shai Hope, who during the West Indies' 2017 Test match win at Headingley became the first batsman to score hundreds in both innings of a first-class match at Yorkshire's headquarters.

This year's three back-to-back Tests, rescheduled because of the outbreak, which the UK government says has claimed at least 39,000 lives in Britain, will be played behind closed doors.

Read | West Indies approve England Test tour, but players to take 50% pay cut

But a series that will span just 21 days remains subject to final approval from the UK government.

The touring party, who will all be tested for the disease this week, are scheduled to fly to England on private charters on June 8.

The West Indies squad will live, train and play in a "bio-secure" environment during the seven weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical plan to ensure player and staff safety, CWI said.

- Unfamiliar environment -

As the health protocols will restrict movement in and out of the venues, the selectors have also named 11 reserve players who will travel to train and help prepare the Test squad, while ensuring injury replacements are readily available.

"The new cricketing environment will take some getting used to," said CWI chief selector Roger Harper.

"However, being in England and working together for four weeks before the first Test will give the squad the opportunity to get acclimatised and hopefully, mentally and technically adjusted to the demands of the new environment."

Harper, himself a former Test off-spinner, added: "I think we have a squad that will be very competitive. 

#EngvWI West Indies Squad to defend Wisden Trophy in England

For more info on schedule, reserve players and bio-secure conditions, click below:http://t.co/mwjrBZSeYp#MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/TyWsC4Yw77

�?Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 3, 2020

"More than half of the squad were involved in the victorious Test series against England in the Caribbean last year so they will bring that experience, that knowledge and belief with them and marry it to the enthusiasm and vitality of the newcomers."

Going ahead with major matches is seen as vital in reducing the virus's financial impact upon cricket, with the England and Wales Cricket Board estimating it could lose £252 million ($316 million) if there are no fixtures at all this summer.

West Indies squad

Jason Holder (capt), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach

Fixtures

July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, Southampton

July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

July 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Forget that Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard play for the same Indian T20 League franchise and the pre-series advertisement where the two unfollow each other on social media. There will be no love lost as India and West Indies head into each other in what will be a tightly contested T20I series. Here we help the Nostragamus fantasy managers with some crucial player picks for this week in the only International series coming your way.

KL RAHUL 

Country: India

Match/Series: India vs West Indies, T20Is

With Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of the series, it is a golden opportunity for Rahul to cement his spot at the top in the T20I side. India aren't totally convinced with Dhawan's T20I utility and Rahul might want to cash in. He had made 291 runs in 7 games at an average of 58.2 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament which concluded on Sunday. For India since 2018 in T20Is, Rahul has 516 runs at 36.85 and a strike rate of 143.33 with a century and three half-centuries.

MANISH PANDEY 

Country: India

Match/Series: India vs West Indies, T20Is

Talk all you want about Manish Pandey's inconsistency, but the middle-order batsman is a beast in this shortest format and with the batting slim for this series, he is likely to get a good run. In terrific form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, Manish's strike rate and consistency in this format is simply mind-blowing. For India, he averages 58 in 17 T20Is since 2018 and will want to maximise his chance when it comes this time around.

NICHOLAS POORAN

Country: West Indies

Match/Series: India vs West Indies, T20Is

Among the most exciting T20 talents in world cricket now, Nicholas Pooran can do the unthinkable from the middle-order. There was ample evidence of his potential in the recently concluded ODI series against Afghanistan in Lucknow where he took on their slew of spinners with conviction. Pooran was in good nick in the Caribbean Premier League where he averaged 38.4 and struck at a rate of 150. The left-hander will be a key figure in West Indies' T20I side for this series.

Read | India vs West Indies: Who makes it to the combined T20 XI?

KULDEEP YADAV

Country: India 

Match/Series: India vs West Indies, T20Is

Back in the T20I setup after a short hiatus, Kuldeep Yadav will be keenly watched this series. Though India have preferred their finger spinners in recent times, Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal form one of the most potent pairs in limited-overs cricket and a return before the T20 World Cup looms. Kuldeep, despite recent concerns about his form, has 23 wickets in 10 T20I matches since 2018 at an average of 10.08 and an economy just over 6. That's as impressive as it gets in terms of numbers.

KEEMO PAUL

Country: West Indies

Match/Series: India vs West Indies, T20Is

A largely underrated fast bowler in this format of the game, Keemo Paul has a slew of cutters and slower balls along with pinpoint yorkers that make him a rather difficult proposition in the shortest format of the game. Since 2018, he has 24 wickets in 18 T20Is - the second-most amongst these two teams after Chahal - while conceding runs at an economy of 8.3. His strike rate makes up for his poor economy and in terms of fantasy, there are few better picks than him among bowlers.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Randy Brooks

Opening batsman Shai Hope struck an unbeaten century as West Indies outplayed Afghanistan by five wickets in the third one-day international on Monday to complete a 3-0 series rout.

Hope made 109 and built crucial partnerships including an unbeaten 71-run stand with Roston Chase, 42 not out, to anchor West Indies' chase of 250 with eight balls to spare in Lucknow.

The wicketkeeper-batsman completed his seventh ODI hundred as West Indies, under new limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard, recorded their first ODI whitewash since 2014.

"We came here with a mission and specific roles for players, and all the players deserve credit," said Pollard.

"Winning is a habit, and anything that we want to do as a team is a process, and it's something we had to improve in a period of time.

"This was an opportunity for us to show we have that kind of venom inside us. We knew we had to rally as a team, and we proved we can bat 50 overs, and once we do that, we can win games."

Paceman Keemo Paul played a key role in the win, returning figures of 3-44 in Afghanistan's 249 for seven.

Afghanistan's teenage spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets to reduce West Indies to four for two but Hope stood firm to keep the chase on track.

Hope, who starred in the opening win with an unbeaten 77, remained the top-scorer in the series with 229 runs.

Man of the match Hope got support from debutant Brandon King, who made 39, and Pollard, who hit 32.

Chase was named man of the series for his 145 runs including a highest of 94 in the three matches and six wickets with his off-spin.

Afghan-Nabi stand

Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, were outplayed in all three matches in their newly adopted home in Lucknow. India has been the home of the war-torn nation's cricket team since 2015.

A 127-run partnership between Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi gave Afghanistan a fighting total from a precarious 118-5 after being invited to bat first.

Afghan made 86 off 85 balls and Nabi remained unbeaten on 50 to thwart a persistent West Indies bowling.

Opener Hazratullah Zazai hit an attacking 50 but the rest of the top-order fell flat.

Afghan, who hit three fours and six sixes, then took stock to re-build and Nabi joined forces with the batting pair taking the attack to the opposition.

Nabi, who hit three fours and a six in his 66-ball stay, raised his 15th ODI fifty on the penultimate ball of the innings as Afghanistan managed 54 runs from the last five overs.

"We were just trying to be better in each and every game. There were more positives from us in today's game," said Rashid.

"The kind of finishing we got from Asghar and Nabi gave us a chance to win the game. We should have defended this total, but Hope played without giving us any chances."

He added, "We have to focus on doing the right things, and making the right decisions at the right time. T20 is all about enjoyment, and we have to keep enjoying, whether in batting, bowling or fielding. The results will take care of themselves."

The two teams will now play three Twenty20 internationals om Lucknow starting November 14.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Rohit Umrao

West Indies pacer Keemo Paul was one of the rising stars from the nation’s U-19 World Cup triumph in 2016. Unlike his teammates though, Paul hogged the limelight due to a rather unconventional act which threw him the midst of heavy backlash from the former players as well as on social media.

Running for a spot in the knockout stage against Zimbabwe, Paul mankaded Richard Ngarava at the non-striker’s end in the final over and left the internet-judges into a frenzy. Speaking almost three years after the incident, the pacer has revealed the hardship he had to face during the time.

"At first, it was definitely tough," Paul told ESPNcricinfo. "I just locked myself away. I saw it on BBC. I read a lot of comments on social media. I took it hard. I cried a lot. And wondered if I did the right thing but my coaching staff and everyone else supported me very well.

"After I did it, after seeing all the comments, I was definitely devastated you know. But after the coaches supported me a lot, especially Corey Collymore, he came to me and said don't worry it is in the rules and you don't have to worry. That's when I started to gain confidence again. After reading all the comments and stuff, I just wanted to lock myself away and forget about it."

Adding to it, though he defended his action, the criticism he received has forced him to not to use the method ever again.

"Definitely I believed what I did was right. I was only 17, I came down hard on myself, kept wondering if I did the right thing. That was just instinct. Now I have matured more and I don't think I will probably do it again," he said.

"After I did it there was definitely a lot of doubt and I got a lot of stick for it and like I said, I saw some players who I looked up to (criticising me). The rules are there. We don't write them. We just follow the rules.

"I would say it is the fear of criticism. I got a lot of backlash for it. I would probably not do it. The criticisms and harsh comments. They are not right, but again, in my heart I definitely believe it is right but because of the how the game is today and because of the criticism you face, it is tough. I probably wouldn't do it again."

Considered by many as an act against the ‘ethics of the game�? mankad-ing was in the limelight of late when Punjab bowler Ravichandran Ashwin ran out Rajasthan’s Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end. And just like Paul �?who now plays with Delhi in the Indian T20 League - the Indian spinner now finds himself in massive controversy.

Randy Brooks/ AFP

Young fast bowler Keemo Paul has been added to the Windies squad for their dead rubber final Test against England, scheduled to start on the 9th of February in Saint Lucia. 

"With Jason Holder missing out on the last Test, Kraigg Brathwaite will take the reins of captaincy. We also welcome Keemo Paul back to the squad. He is having a good showing in the West Indies first-class championship at the moment," said Courtney Browne, the Windies Chairman of Selectors.

Paul was part of the U-19 Windies team that won the World Cup in 2016. He made his Test debut last year in the sub-continent against Bangladesh and has also played 11 ODIs for his country. He would be expected to take the place Of captain Jason Holder who is currently serving a controversial one match suspension from the ICC for slow over-rate.