BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and off-spinner Ashley Nurse are both in line for their One-Day International debut after West Indies selectors opted to drop fast bowler Jerome Taylor from the squad for the Barbados leg of the Tri-Nations ODI Series.
Taylor, 31, was the most experienced bowler in the West Indies side with 126 wickets in 85 matches but no room was found for him after the selectors decided to reduce the squad to 13 players, from the 14 used in Guyana and St Kitts.
His returns have been small in this series with just two wickets in four matches played.
Nurse, a member of the squad which won the ICC World T20 in India in April, said he would be prepared if given the opportunity.
“I’m confident I would do well if selected … it would be great to make my debut in front of my home crowd at Kensington Oval,” said the 27-year-old.
“At the moment I’m feeling really good about my game. I’m bowling well in the nets and my batting is coming along well. We have played so good cricket so far but these is still some work to be done here in Barbados. We want to make the final.”
Going into the final leg at Kensington Oval, South Africa top the table with ten points, Australia have nine points and West Indies have eight points.
With four points for a win and bonus point available for a big win – all three teams remain in contention for the final next week Sunday.
South Africa face the world champions Aussies on Sunday, West India take on the Australians on Tuesday and the final preliminary is on Friday when the home side meet the Proteas.
Gabriel, who has made a successful return from an ankle injury he suffered in Australia last December, said he already knew what his approach would be once included in the final XI.
“I have been watching along so far and I have seen a few things, where the bowling and batting are concerned,” the Trinidadian said.
“We have played both of them (Australia and South Africa) twice so far so I have my plans on how to approach my bowling if I get the chance.”
The 28-year-old added: “It would be good to get a chance at the Oval, the pitch there usually offers something to the fast bowlers, with bounce and carry through to the ‘keeper. I’m feeling strong and fit … I have recovered fully and I’m ready to step onto the park.”
