Viv Wants 20 for Antigua WC Camp

The West Indies selectors have asked the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to sanction a squad of 20 to participate in the two-week camp in Antigua to prepare for the World Cup in South Africa in February and March.

Sir Viv Richards, chairman of the selection panel, said the aim was to have the five stand-by players for the tournament to be as physically, technically and mentally ready as the final 15 to be named, under International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, by December 31.

Richards and fellow selectors Joey Carew, Gordon Greenidge, captain Carl Hooper and coach Roger Harper announced a provisional list of 30 last week for submission to the ICC.

But, apart from the return of fit-again star batsman Brian Lara, there is unlikely to be a major departure from the 15 who comprised the teams that defeated India 4-3 and Bangladesh 2-0 in their most recent one-day series here.

"What we're doing is trying to get a unit together that plays together for some time rather than making wholesale changes," Richards said this week before completing his two months stint with the team on tour of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

"Sometimes changes are necessary but if you think you have something that is reasonably good, that is performing and that can help take you forward, you should trust it," he added. "We're trying to give individuals the opportunity to be more collectively blended together."

The selectors can make up their minds on the final 15 as soon as they want as the West Indies have no more one-day cricket, at either regional or international level, before the December 31 deadline.

Three of the 15 who comprise the team here will have to make way for the return of Lara, Hooper and leading fast bowler Merv Dillon.

Lara was ruled out of the India and Bangladesh segments when stricken with illness during the ICC Champions Trophy in India. He reportedly received medical clearance to resume training after examination by a London specialist a month ago.

Hooper, with damaged knees that have since been successfully operated on in Australia, and Dillon, with a back injury, missed the Bangladesh series. Daren Ganga replaced Hooper and Cameron Cuffy was retained when Dillon withdrew.