Fletcher aiming to bring back fun in WI cricket

Grenadian Andre Fletcher is one of the most colourful characters in regional cricket. From his infectious smile to his long, flowing locks, to his effervescent dance moves, the wicketkeeper-batsman is hoping he can be the catalyst to inject some life back into the West Indies T20 team who are preparing to face New Zealand in a three-match series starting November 27.

Fletcher and the rest of the West Indies squad are already in New Zealand preparing for the series, and the right-handed opening batsman says he is delighted to have received a recall to the senior side, having played his last T20 for the West Indies against Bangladesh back in 2018.

The man dubbed the 'Spice Man' says he wants to replicate the fun-loving atmosphere that the team had when they won the T20 World Cup back in 2016.

"So far I have seen that in the team with everyone enjoying themselves. We have a lot of fun and it's very important, especially during this period. You want to make sure that everyone is comfortable, and that is when you get the best out of everyone," said Fletcher.

"I hope that we can actually bring it on to the field of play as we try to execute our plans as well as possible, and if we do that, for sure we will have a good tournament."

The West Indies have never won a T20 series in New Zealand after four trips. Fletcher, who toured with the West Indies to New Zealand in 2017-2018, was the leading run-scorer for the Caribbean side back then, with 73 runs in two innings with a top score of 46. The man who helped the St Lucia Zouks to the CPL final this year is hoping that his recent form can be replicated in New Zealand and that the results will finally be in their favour.

"We haven't won a T20 series in New Zealand and the team goal would be to win this series, and my individual goal is to make sure that I can get as many runs as possible so that I can cement my spot in the T20 squad."

Match Schedule:

* November 27: 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland

* November 29: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

* November 30: 3rd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

* December 3-7: 1st Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton

* December 11-15: 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington

FULL SQUADS

T20I Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.