West Indies Cricket Board has announced a 13-man squad for the first Test match against Pakistan, set to start on May 12, at the Providence, Guyana. WICB have recalled Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while Ramnaresh Sarwan and talented middle-order batsman, Marlon Samuels have been retained from the team that lost the five matches One Day International series 2-3, to Pakistan.
Chanderpaul, who was in midst of a controversy with WICB administrators and Chief Ernest Hilaire, brushed aside his differences, after he was recalled to the squad. The left-hander had written letters to the Chief and sought his explanation on comments he made about senior players in the team, after their quarter-finals World Cup defeat, at the hands of Pakistan.
The squad comprises of experienced campaigners like Chanderpaul, Sarwan and fast bowler, Fidel Edwards. Samuels, who made a comeback to international cricket in the ODI series, returns to Test cricket after a three-year absence. The right-hander served a ban imposed by the International Cricket Council, for his alleged connections with bookies.
Youngsters, Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo would be expected to provide flair to the batting order, which would be assisted by Brendan Nash. Wicket-keeper batsman, Carlton Baugh, is included to keep gloves in the series. The bowling department also has a solid look with the presence of fast bowlers Kemar Roach, Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul.
Ironically, the weakest link of the squad happens to be the captain, Darren Sammy, who after an impressive Test debut against England a few years ago, looks less of a Test match player with every passing day.
Leg-spinner, Devendra Bishoo, who was remarkable in the ODI series, is set to make his Test match debut at home. The youngster has impressed all with his great control, flight and guile, which caught Pakistan’s batsmen by surprise throughout the limited-over matches.
A win in the Test series would help West Indies climb to sixth spot, in the Test rankings table. The hosts are without a win in Test cricket in the last 18 matches.
The first Test starts on Thursday in Providence and the second Test is scheduled from May 20, at St.Kitts. Considering the lack of experience in the Pakistani squad, the series is an ideal opportunity for the hosts to end their barren run, in the longer format of the game.
Test Squad: Devon Smith, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh (wk), Darren Sammy (capt), Fidel Edwards, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul.
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