Barring an improbable set of results in the final few Super League fixtures, West Indies would have to earn their spot at the ODI World Cup in India later this year via the global qualifier in Zimbabwe, which is scheduled for June-July. They are currently eighth on the table, way behind seventh-placed Afghanistan
Hope, who captained Barbados in the Regional Super50 last year, has an impressive career record in ODIs, averaging 48.95, and has been tasked with steering West Indies to the World Cup.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be appointed captain of any West Indies team,” Hope said. “To lead a team that is of such incredible significance not only to myself and my teammates but to our legion of fans the world over, is something one dreams of as a child.
“The rich history and legacy that our region and our brand of cricket is so famous and loved for, requires no intricate explanation. I would like to thank CWI for entrusting me with this immense opportunity.
“To navigate West Indies cricket in the right direction will be my fundamental priority and a task that I shall be unwaveringly committed to. With the support of my team-mates and our dedicated fans, I look forward to a long and fulfilling tenure as captain of the West Indies One-Day International team.”
Powell has extensive captaincy experience. He led Jamaica Tallawahs to the CPL title last year in his third year in charge full-time, and also captained Jamaica to the Regional Super50 title in 2022. He has previously deputised for West Indies in three ODIs and one T20I.
“I’m truly humbled and grateful to be given this amazing opportunity to lead the West Indies,” Powell said. “For me, this a huge vote of confidence and I see this as the greatest honour of my career. To be asked to ‘carry the flag’ for the people of the Caribbean, there’s no bigger role in cricket in the region — a job previously held by some of the greatest servants of West Indies cricket.
“I also want to thank CWI for allowing me to guide the team in the coming years as we set sights on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which we will be jointly hosting with the USA next year. I’m a passionate cricketer who believes in leading from the front and always giving 100 percent.”
West Indies’ tour of South Africa starts with two Tests, between February 28 and March 12, where they will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite, before the white-ball games start. The ODIs come first, on March 16, 18 and 21, followed by the T20Is, on March 25, 26 and 28.