West Indies head coach Phil Simmons expressed his disappointment as the board is struggling to shortlist their best squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying he can’t beg people to play for the country.

Notably, West Indies’ top T20 cricketers are either playing franchise league elsewhere or dealing with injuries.

"It hurts. There's no other way to put it. But what can you do? I don't think that I should be begging people to play for their countries. I think if you want to represent West Indies, you will make yourself available," Simmons was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Life has changed, in that people have the opportunities to go different places and if they choose that over West Indies, that's just how it is," he added.

The list of absentees includes Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who are currently taking part in The Hundred. On the other hand, Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas have not appeared for their fitness tests whereas Sheldon Cottrell, Fabian Allen and Roston Chase are recovering from injuries.

After suffering a 4-1 defeat in the recently held T20I series against India, West Indies have one last chance to try out players before the T20 showpiece in the three-match series against New Zealand, which started on August 10.

"From what I have gathered, I think he is unavailable because he hasn't made himself available," chief selector Desmond Haynes said of Russell.

"I will love everyone to play for West Indies. I would love to make sure that all the guys make themselves available to play," Haynes added.

"But you must realise that the guys have options now, and if guys are choosing other franchises in front of West Indies, then we have to pick from who is available to us."

The T20 World Cup 2022 is due to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.

(With PTI inputs)