14 April,2011 02:56 PM IST | | AFP
West Indies have named leg-spinner Anthony Martin as the sole newcomer, recalled Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons, and welcomed the return of Dwayne Bravo for the first two One-day Internationals against Pakistan later this month in St. Lucia.
Picking an ODI side for the first time since they were knocked out of the World Cup by the same opponents at the quarter-final stage, the West Indies selectors have axed Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.
All of the other players that played in the World Cup have been retained in the side, except Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
Gayle has been sidelined with a groin injury that required surgery, and Pollard is busy playing in the Indian Premier League.
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"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 Chief Selector Clyde Butts in a media release.
"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.
"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.
"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."
In ast year's West Indies One-day competition, Martin was one of the leading bowlers.
He finished the tournament with eight wickets from five matches, but had the best economy rate of all bowlers - 2.82 runs an over. His side, the Leeward Islands, shared the trophy with Barbados following a tied final.
Samuels continues his comeback to international cricket, after he served a two-year ban for links with an Indian bookie.
He was also named in the squad for the inaugural Twenty20 match between the two sides, which will also be contested in St. Lucia and precedes the ODIs.
Simmons is the nephew of the current Ireland coach, Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder.
A player that can bat anywhere in the top order, bowl steady medium pace, and keep wicket also continues his comeback, after he was sidelined for inexplicable reasons since the tour of Australia last year. He too, was picked in the T20 squad.
The elder Bravo suffered a knee injury in the opening match against South Africa at the World Cup, and returned home before flying to Australia for surgery.
He is also contracted to the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, and will play in the ODI series against Pakistan, but will miss the subsequent two Tests in order to participate in the IPL.
The first two ODIs will be played on Saturday, April 23, and Monday, April 25, at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
The series continues on Thursday, April 28, and Sunday, May 1, at Kensington Oval in Barbados before concluding on Thursday, May 5, at the Guyana National Stadium.
The two Tests takes place in Guyana from Thursday, May 12 to Monday, May 16; and in St. Kitts from Friday, May 20 to Tuesday, May 24.
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.
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