Reports: West Indies face scheduling conflict with World Cup Qualifiers and India series

West Indies Cricket. (Photo Source: ICC)

West Indies arefacing scheduling conflict as they have commitments in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and a two-match Test series against India at home. The team would be looking to reach the summit clash of the Qualifiers to qualify in the forthcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled in October-November in India.

The Qualifiers will end on July 9 while the two-match Test series against India is scheduled to begin on July 12. Notably, the schedule is quite difficult for West Indies’ multi-format players like Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, and Alzarri Joseph who are expected to be involved in both the events.

It will be difficult for the players to travel from Zimbabwe to Dominica to play the first Test against the Rohit Sharma-led side. According to Cricbuzz, Cricket West Indies (CWI) is attempting to overcome the logistical difficulty regarding the same.

Notably, normal international travel will take two days, making it a problematic issue because players will only get one day before gearing up for the Test match. A CWI official indicated that the board has numerous choices, but that World Cup qualification will be their top focus.

“We have multiple options, but first we need to qualify for the CWC. The final of the CWCQ is meaningless, so our Test players won’t participate, but first we need to make sure we reach the final,” a CWI official told Cricbuzz.

West Indies have made a strong start to the 10-team qualifying tournament. After the group stage matches, the qualified nations will compete in the Super Six stage. The Super Six stage’s top two teams will advance to the ODI World Cup.

India to reach Caribbean by July 1

Team India are currently on a break after the conclusion of the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a crushing 209-run defeat against the Pat Cummins-led Australia at The Oval in London earlier in June.

Notably, it was their second consecutive defeat in the WTC final, having lost to New Zealand in the first edition in 2021. Meanwhile, the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies will be their first assignment in the new World Test Championship cycle (2023-25). The Indian squad is expected to reach West Indies by July 1.