Maiden call up for Yasir Mohammad, Cameron Stevenson back in USA squad

Representative Image: USA have two upcoming WC League 2 tri-series events. © USA Cricket
USA Cricket have announced a 14-member squad for their twin WC League 2 tri-series against Scotland and UAE starting May 28 & Nepal and Oman commencing on June 8. Teenage leg-spinner Yasir Mohammad has earned a maiden call up to the ODI squad after impressing in his debut T20I series against Ireland. Yasir provides the only wrist spinning option for USA as they continue to heavily rely on Nisarg Patel and Nosthush Kenjige's left arm orthodox spin.

Fast bowler Cameron Stevenson is back into the USA fold after a self-imposed two-year hiatus. American born Stevenson resides in Australia and opted not to play for the USA owing to Australia's stringent quarantine and travel policies. Stevenson had been used as an attacking option in the middle overs for his ability to consistently hit hard lengths. All rounder Ian Holland made himself unavailable for selection as he chose to prioritise his Hampshire commitments.

Veteran USA batsman Xavier Marshall, pacer Jasdeep Singh and young left arm spinner Vatsal Vaghela have not been retained from USA's previous ODI squad announced for the series against Ireland, which was eventually cancelled due to COVID. Marshall faced the axe after failing to cross double digits in the solitary T20I against Ireland. He was invited for a series of selection games in Houston but failed to impress the selectors. Jadeep makes way for 36-year0old Rusty Theron who had opted out of the Ireland series for personal reasons. Having played his last ODI in Nepal in February 2020, Theron makes his way back into the ODI squad after grappling with injuries and his perceived reservations about playing the longer form.

Vaghela, however, could not find a place for himself after a stellar 2021 which saw him scalp 29 wickets in 17 games in Minor League Cricket T20. He also jolted Ireland on his T20I debut with figures of 2-16.

"The selection panel has predominantly stayed with a similar squad to that chosen for the Ireland series in December that rewarded the performances of several players who shone at the USA Cricket National Championships in November 2021," said Chair of the Men's National Selection Panel, Michael Voss.

"The form and performances at the recent training camp in Texas were also considered with Yasir Mohammad coming into the ODI squad for the first time. The squad has a nice balance of youth and experience, and we're particularly pleased to see the fast bowling stocks in good order with Ali Khan in his local conditions and a return for Cameron Stevenson giving us plenty of options alongside Saurabh Netravalkar and Rusty Theron who were both outstanding in Texas last month."

Squad:Monank Patel (Captain), Aaron Jones (Vice-Captain), Ali Khan, Cameron Stevenson, Gajanand Singh, Jaskaran Malhotra,, Nisarg Patel, Nosthush Kenjige, Rahul Jariwala, Rusty Theron, Saurabh Netravalkar, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Yasir Mohammed