Collymore, Breese Drafted Into ODI Squad

The West Indies selectors pulled a minor surprise with the inclusion of Barbadian fast bowler Corey Collymore into the 14-man squad for the upcoming one-day series against India.

The injury-prone Collymore, who had to be recalled from playing weekend cricket in the Washington Cricket League in the U.S., has played in 20 ODIs for the senior Caribbean side but, after a sub-par Busta Cup competition this year, he lost his place in the side to newcomer Adam Sanford.

Ironically, it is Sanford who is making way for the return of Collymore, who took 7 wickets in three Busta Cup matches this year. The 24-year-old Collymore, who played in a single Test match when Australia toured the West Indies in 1998/99, was once viewed as a valuable prospect in the fast bowling ranks but he has battled a series on injuries ever since.

The Collymore selection turned a few heads because a close look at the 'A' team squad seemed to show there were quite a few other fast bowlers ahead of him in the pecking order. More specifically, Jamaica's Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson had better Busta Cup seasons and Guyana strike bowler Reon King seemed to have bowled himself back into contention with the 'A' team pick.

The selectors also rewarded Jamaican off-spinning all-rounder Gareth Breese with a spot in the ODI squad, following a solid Busta Cup campaign which included 44 wickets at 20.18 per.

The 25-year-old Breese, who has taken 124 first class wickets (avg. 25.95) in 31 matches for Jamaica, was the only specialist spinner named in the squad. Breese has also been named in the West Indies 'A' team squad to tour the U.K and North America later this year.

Breese replaces Dinanath Ramnarine, who is in the Test team squad but is yet to play a match.

FULL SQUAD:

Carl Hooper (captain)
Brian Lara
Chris Gayle
Wavell Hinds
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Ridley Jacobs
Mervyn Dillon
Pedro Collins
Cameron Cuffy
Corey Collymore
Gareth Breese
Ryan Hinds