Shimron Hetmyer, a charismatic left-handed hitter, has been replaced in the West Indies team for the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16, as he missed the aircraft from Guyana to Australia.
Shamarh Brooks has taken the 25-year-position, old's and Cricket West Indies (CWI) has notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) of the substitution. Hetmyer apparently failed to board his newly booked flight to Australia, which had been moved from October 1 to October 3 at his request.
Two days later, he had a different flight from Guyana to New York scheduled. Hetmyer, however, alerted CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams the morning of his scheduled departure that he would not be able to make it to the airport in time.
CWI adopted a strict stance and chose to replace Hetmyer.
"Shimron Hetmyer missed his trip to Australia that had been changed from Saturday (October 1) at his request due to family obligations, prompting the CWI Selection Panel to make its judgement. It was difficult to find a seat for him to depart Guyana today (Monday, October 3), thus it was sad that he will miss the first T20 International against Australia on October 5 at the Metricon Stadium "a CWI statement said.
The CWI statement continued, "Mr. Hetmyer told the Director of Cricket (Jimmy Adams) this morning (October 3) that he would not be able to reach to the airport in time for his departure.
The selection panel unanimously decided to replace Shimron Hetmyer with Shamarh Brooks in our T20 World Cup team, we informed the CWI Board of Directors this afternoon. Shimron's flight was moved from Saturday to Monday for family reasons, but we made it clear to him that if there were any further problems or delays with his travel to Australia, we would be forced to replace him because we couldn't risk the team's ability to train for this crucial international match.
The replacement for Hetmyer Brooks is a veteran of the West Indies squad, having represented them in all three international competitions, including 11 T20Is during the course of the previous calendar year.
"Shamarh participated in our most recent T20 International teams and put out significant efforts in the closing rounds of the just-completed CPL. He will depart for Australia as soon as possible this week, and I wish him and the entire team the best of luck in the T20 World Cup "Adams added.
The T20 World Cup first round grouping for West Indies includes matches against Scotland, Zimbabwe, and Ireland before a potential Super 12 round appearance.
West Indies will also compete in a two-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 5 before the T20 World Cup.