ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Sulieman Benn has held on to a place in the West Indies’ 14-member squad for three One-day Internationals next month in England.
The 6-foot, 7-inch tall Benn has been selected for the series ahead of fellow left-arm spinner Nikita Miller in a surprising move from the West Indies selection panel chaired by Clyde Butts.
Benn had been overlooked for the ODIs on the preceding tour of New Zealand and the first four ODIs in a home series against England in the Caribbean.
It was felt that Benn’s inconsistent fielding was a hindrance, and Miller was more athletic in the outfield and offered a steadier hand with the bat.
But fortune favoured Benn when Miller was sidelined with a side strain in the fourth ODI against England in Barbados, and Benn bowled impressively and fielded steadily in the final match in St. Lucia which West Indies lost to concede a 3-2 series victory to their opponents.
The rest of the squad comprises players that appeared in the home series against England including all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and fast-medium bowler Ravi Rampaul, after they were overlooked for the preceding two-Test series.
The three ODIs are scheduled for May 21 at Headingley, May 24 at Bristol, and May 26 at Edgbaston.
Squad:
Chris Gayle (captain), Denesh Ramdin (vice-captain), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Keiron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Dale Richards, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor
