The Proteas will not take on many of the West Indies T20 champions in the triangular ODI series, which also involves Australia, in June.

This will deprive the Proteas of the chance to avenge their embarrassing T20 loss in India.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons said in an interview that the West Indies Cricket Board had decided that players need to play in the domestic 50-over competition to qualify for selection. That means that big names such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and others will not be considered as they rarely play on the domestic circuit.

‘You are talking about seven or eight of the best players in the world,’ said Simmonds. ‘If you are not going to select them, then the other two teams coming into this tri-series are going to be smiling, because the challenge of playing against West Indies at home without Gayle, Sammy, Russell, Bravo, [Lendl] Simmons seems easier.

‘They all still want to play for West Indies as much as they can. It is unfortunate how things are, in that they don’t play as much, but when they are together, they want to do well for West Indies. The harmony they build is because of  the camaraderie they share from playing for West Indies; and the common fight they have together. That “we against them” feeling.’

On the way forward for the West Indies, Simmonds said: ‘If we were to always play our best teams in T20s and ODIs, then we would be at the top in those two formats. Then our Test cricket can take its time and develop itself. But for now, when you are low down [they are ranked eighth in Test cricket] , it is hard to sell your product.’

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