ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – One new cap, as well as recalls for Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons, and the return of Dwayne Bravo are the features of the West Indies team picked for the first two One-day Internationals against Pakistan later this month.
Experienced players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn have continued to bear the brunt of the team’s failure at the World Cup, which concluded earlier this month on the Asain sub-continent.
“We have looked at a mix of players who will take us through the next five to 10 years, and with this squad, we have put together a youthful, but exciting combination of exceptionally talented cricketers who we believe can win matches,” said Chairman of Selectors Clyde Butts.
“There are some familiar faces, who have not been included on this occasion, but we have already identified the core of players who we will build the team around.”
All of the other players that featured at the World Cup, excluding the injured Chris Gayle and the Indian Premier League-engaged Kieron Pollard, have been retained in the squad, whose only newcomer is leg-spinner Anthony Martin for the matches to be contested on Saturday, April 23, and Monday, April 25, at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
“The time has come for us to introduce a fresh crop of players who we believe has a deep desire to excel and who can be tested at the international level,” said Butts.
“We have already seen players like Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Andre Russell, and Devendra Bishoo performing impressively on the international stage, and we believe that players like Kirk Edwards and Anthony Martin can step up similarly.”
Martin was one of the leading bowlers for Leeward Islands in the WICB Regional One-day competition, as his team shared the trophy with Barbados following a tied final.
He finished with eight wickets from five matches, but had the best economy rate of 2.82 runs an over of all frontline bowlers.
Samuels ironically last played for West Indies three April 15s ago in an ODI against Sri Lanka in St. Lucia before he received a two-year ban from for links with an Indian bookie.
Simmons, the nephew of former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons, the current Ireland coach, has regained a place in the squad for the first time since the tour of Australia early last year, after settling differences with authorities.
The elder Bravo returns to the side, after missing most of the World Cup. This followed a knee injury that he sustained in the opening match against South Africa, and required him to have surgery in Australia.
Imran Khan, corporate communications manager of the WICB, noted in a media release that the WICB had reached out to players who had not taken up retainer contract offers, and they were fruitful discussions with the elder Bravo and Pollard.
“With an appreciation to the rapidly evolving nature of international and domestic cricket and the need for players to benefit both in their professional development and having a level of financial security, practical decisions were taken,” said Khan.
“It was mutually determined that Pollard would be best served by being allowed to hone his Twenty20 skills in the Indian Premier League which will bring future benefit to West Indies cricket.
“He will not play in the [home series] against Pakistan, but remains committed to West Indies cricket and will be available for future selection to the West Indies team in all formats.”
Khan said: “Dwayne Bravo, who is also contracted to an IPL franchise, will play against Pakistan, but will miss the two Tests in order to participate in the IPL.
“Like Pollard, Bravo also remains committed to West Indies cricket, and will be available for future selection to the West Indies team in all formats.”
Squad:
Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas