Cricket West Indies (CWI) preferred to bring back medium pacer Matthew Forde and all-rounder Fabian Allen, who was not in the T20 World Cup squad co-hosted by them in June. “Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder who played five back-to-back tests against England and South Africa,” CWI’s director of cricket Miles Bascombe said in a release. “During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team.” Pacer Alzarri Joseph and injured opener Brandon King were also not included in their 15-man squad. Joseph was earlier rested for West Indies’ two-matchTest series against South Africa, which they lost 0-1 at home. “I'm confident in the squad we've selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success,” head coach Daren Sammy said. The South Africa T20I series begins on August 23, with matches scheduled on August 25 and August 27 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. The West Indies squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.