WI Squad to India: Shake-up Expected
There's word floating around the Caribbean that the West Indies selectors will announce a squad for the ODI tour to India with several high-profiles omissions.The squad has been picked but an official announcement won't be made until the WICB and WIPA finalize negotiations on match/tour fees but, according to reliable information reaching CaribbeanCricket.com, the squad does not include Ramnaresh Sarwan, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards or Dwayne Smith.
Also missing from the (unofficial) squad are Dave Mohammed and Omari Banks, the two specialist spinners that toured Pakistan late last year; and Daren Ganga, the Trinidad & Tobago opening batsman.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Lendl Simmons have been pencilled in, but both will need to pass fitness tests before making the trip.
Ian Bradshaw has been picked for this tour to join a bowling attack that includes Jerome Taylor, Darren Powell and two newcomers -- Darren Sammy and Reyad Emrit.
According to sources, Devon Smith has been reclaimed his spot as Chris Gayle's opening partner.
The West Indies will play four ODIs on the tour and the new-look squad is a clear indication that the selectors are experimenting with the team for the 2007 World Cup.
Here is the (again, unofficial) squad that's floating around:
Brian Lara (captain)
Chris Gayle
Shiv Chanderpaul (pending fitness test)
Devon Smith
Lendl Simmons (pending fitness test)
Marlon Samuels
Runako Morton
Dwayne Bravo
Darren Sammy (new)
Denesh Ramdin
Jerome Taylor
Darren Powell
Ian Bradshaw
Reyad Emrit (new)