– Ryan Hinds only new addition
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies selectors have stood by the makeshift West Indies squad for the second Test against Bangladesh starting Friday, with Barbadian batsman Ryan Hinds the only new addition to the line-up.
The squad, hastily assembled after the first choice players went on strike days before the opening Test in St Vincent last Thursday, will be without Barbadian batsman Kraigg Brathwaite and Jamaican Andre Creary who will return to Jamaica to play in the TCL Group West Indies three-day Cup tournament.
Hinds, who played the last of his 14 Tests against England in March this year, will join up with the squad in Grenada for the second Test which bowls off Friday at the National Stadium.
The left-hander managed just 91 runs in four Tests against England on their recent Caribbean tour and was dropped for the return tour to England in May.
He is the third player who has represented the West Indies recently, to break ranks with the West Indies Players Association, following decisions by David Bernard jr and Darren Sammy to play in the first Test.
There had been indications earlier yesterday that two more players had broken ranks with the striking West Indies players and were poised to be included in the squad for the second Test.
A source with knowledge of the situation said the duo had called the West Indies Cricket Board indicating their availability, after sitting out the opening Test the second-string side lost by 95 runs on Monday at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.
WICB vice-president, Dave Cameron said he was not aware of the latest development but noted that any player who wanted to make himself available would be considered for selection.
“I cannot say if any of the players changed their minds they would be back into the team for the second Test but I think that they should be given a look at,” Cameron said.
Last week the entire squad of 13 players called up for the opening Test refused to play after the WICB and the players’ union, WIPA, failed to resolve pay and contractual issues.
The WICB has reiterated it will not be negotiating under duress and talks aimed at solving the impasse last week collapsed after just 23 minutes.
SQUAD – Floyd Reifer (captain), Darren Sammy (vice captain), Ryan Austin, David Bernard Jr, Tino Best, Travis Dowlin, Ryan Hinds, Kevin McClean, Nikita Miller, Nelon Pascal, Omar Phillips, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Chadwick Walton
