West Indies to miss Kieron Pollard at World Twenty20 due to knee injury

Kemar Roach, too, will be out with an injury, as West Indies look to Krishmar Santokie and Sheldon Cottrell to soften the blow.

Keiron Pollard and West Indies won the 2012 World Twenty20. Steve paston / Action Images

Defending champions West Indies will be without Kieron Pollard for next month’s World Twenty20 in Bangladesh after the big-hitting all-rounder failed to recover from a knee injury.

A shoulder injury has also ruled fast bowler Kemar Roach out of the 15-man squad, which will be led by all-rounder Darren Sammy.

“Neither Kieron Pollard nor Kemar Roach were considered for selection due to continued rehabilitation from injury,” the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement.

“Pollard continues to recover from a knee injury sustained late last year and Roach is still trying to get over a shoulder injury that forced him to return home from the tour of India without playing and required surgery.”

West Indies won the last edition of the tournament in 2012 after beating hosts Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo.

Krishmar Santokie, recently slected by Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League, has been called upon for cover. The 29 year old has been capped twice at the international level by the Windies.

Sheldon Cottrell was also selected. While he owns one Test cap, he has never before played in a Twenty20 international match.

Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith