Nanan Wants McGarrell, McLean in WC Squad

Former West Indies off-spinner Rangy Nanan believes the West Indies' bowling attack for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa could be bolstered with the inclusion of Vincentian fast bowler Nixon McLean and Guyanese left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell.

Nanan, who was recently appointed general manager of the Preysal Sports Club, said he would opt for McLean and McGarrell instead of the experienced Cameron Cuffy and leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo. All four players have been named in the West Indies 30-man provisional squad which will be reduced to 15 to coincide with the International Cricket Council December 31 deadline for final team selection.

"McLean has played in South Africa for the past two seasons and has played a key role in helping his club (KwaZulu-Natal) win both the one-day and four-day championship," Nanan noted. "The experience he would have gained playing in South Africa would serve the team well."

McLean has taken 44 wickets in 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at an average of 36.76 and an economy rate of 4.86 runs per over.

He is also a useful lower-order batsman with a highest score of 50 not out and a batting average of 12.36. Nanan, who is behind only Guyanese Clyde Butts (270) and Jamaican Courtney Walsh (264) in the list of highest wicket-takers in regional first-class cricket, having taken 256 wickets at an average of 24.91 in 64 matches, said McGarrell was his choice as specialist spinner.

"I might go for the finger spinner in McGarrell. He could be tighter than Nagamootoo, who was a bit loose in India in the One-Days. The World Cup is different and McGarrell is a much tighter bowler,

Nanan contended.

In 17 ODIs, McGarrell, who also has experience of South African conditions, having played four ODIs there on the 1998-1999 West Indies tour, has captured 15 wickets at an average of 45.40 and an economy rate of 4.75 runs per over.

On the other hand, Nagamootoo has 18 wickets in 24 ODIs at an average of 55.38 and a runs-per-over rate of 5.03. He averages 13.50 with the bat compared to McGarrell's 7.50 in ODIs.

* SOURCE: Barbados Nation.