West Indies turn focus to India as key bowlers depart World Cup campaign early

Dominica: West Indies will play out the rest of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier without two of their leading bowlers as they begin preparations for an all-format series against India.

Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder will miss the rest of West Indies' unsuccessful ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign as they leave Zimbabwe early to start preparations for the all-format home series against India.

Joseph has been West Indies’ most successful strike bowler at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier with eight wickets, while Holder has picked up six scalps while also adding 144 runs, the ICC reported.

West Indies still have Super Six matches to come against Oman and Sri Lanka, but currently have zero points in the critical stage of the tournament to already be out of contention for a spot at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup later this year.

"Jason and Alzarri are two of our leading bowlers in all formats," Desmond Haynes, head selector of West Indies men's team, said in a statement.

"We have a full schedule for the upcoming series against India, where we begin the new ICC World Test Championship, then followed by the ODIs and the five T20Is," he said.

“It was felt the best move at this time is to have two of our leading bowlers return early from Zimbabwe," Haynes added.

The two-time champions are set to miss the Cricket World Cup for the first time after bowing out early at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

West Indies will now turn their attention to the ICC World Test Championship with the first Test against India starting on July 12 in Dominica.

The second Test against the runners-up in the first two World Test Championship cycles will take place on July 20-24 in Trinidad.

West Indies and India will then play an ODI series starting on July 27, with five T20Is to follow as the Men in Maroon look to pick themselves up from their shock early exit at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. (UNI)