Andries Gous, Steven Taylor and Ali Khan back in USA mix for Oman tour

After a tumultuous chain of events that saw the axing of head coach Stuart Law and subsequent withdrawal of Andries Gous for personal reasons in the middle of their last international series in October, the 31-year-old wicket keeper batsman has been named in the ODI and T20I squads for the Oman tour. A globetrotting T20 player now, it is unclear whether Gous will land in Oman on time for the first ODI on 8th February given his ongoing commitments with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 which is set to wrap on 9th February.

Similarly, the arrival of left arm spinners Harmeet Singh and Noshthush Kenjige remains a subject of speculation given their commitments with Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates respectively. The uncertainty on their arrival and the conditions in Oman may finally mean some gametime for young leg spinner Yasir Mohammad who has been forced to carry drinks for a majority of time in all the three preceding USA tours he has been a part of. The release fell short of naming a vice captain despite Aaron Jones' presence in both the white ball squads. Jones was earlier snubbed from the ODI squad at home in October after picking club over country in the CPL but was named as a replacement after Gous' exit.

USA recalled veteran all rounder Steven Taylor in their T20I squad. The big hitting left hander is yet to play a T20I post the World Cup in June after being sidelined from both the white ball squads after the tour of Netherlands in August. Taylor's comeback trail was further thwarted by injuries but twin hundreds in the minor league and a strong showing in the Guyana Global Super League has compelled his re-entry in the squad. Oman T20Is are also set to mark the return of USA talisman Ali Khan after a mix of injury layoffs and club commitments post World Cup.

All rounder Ali Sheikh has been rewarded with a T20I call up for his consistent domestic performances including a hundred in the recently concluded national 50 over championship. Sheikh comes back in the USA fold after a 3 year hiatus after being part of a covid ridden squad against Ireland in December 2021. Left arm pacer Stephen Wiig earned a maiden call up to the T20I side and will replace Saurabh Netravalkar who will head home after the ODI leg of the tour. The youngster broke into the team on the back of a few commanding performances in the minor league for the New Jersey Stallions over the course of 4 seasons.

Smit Patel makes a comeback to the ODI squad after missing out in the home ODIs. However, Smit lost out on his T20 berth along with Milind Kumar who had an underwhelming time with the bat in T20Is. Kumar has been prolific in ODIs with an average of 52 but hasn't been able to replicate his ODI highs in the T20I format.

USA Squad for ICC CWCL2 ODIs in Oman:

Monank Patel (Captain), Andries Gous, Aaron Jones, Milind Kumar, Smit Patel, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Yasir Mohammad, Jessy Singh, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Juanoy Drysdale, Saurabh Netravalkar

USA Squad for T20Is in Oman:

Monank Patel (Captain), Andries Gous, Aaron Jones, Ali Sheikh, Steven Taylor, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Yasir Mohammad, Jessy Singh, Ali Khan, Juanoy Drysdale, Stephen Wiig