St John’s, Antigua – Antiguan leg spinner Anthony Martin is the only uncapped player named in the West Indies One Day International squad for the First and Second Digicel ODIs against Pakistan in St Lucia.
Chris Gayle was not selected for the first two ODIs against Pakistan. Photo courtesy Brooks LaTouche Photography
Dwayne Bravo has recovered from the knee injury he sustained in the Cricket World Cup and returns to the squad. The livewire Trinidadian all rounder has also been named Vice Captain to Darren Sammy.
The 13 man squad includes the experienced Jamaican strokemaker Marlon Samuels, Trinidadian opening batsman Lendl Simmons, rookie Barbadian batsman Kirk Edwards and Guyanese leg spinner Devendra Bishoo.
The 28 year old Martin has been a consistent performer in regional cricket for Leeward Islands in recent years.
In the last edition of the WICB Regional 50 Over Tournament Martin was one of the leading Leeward Islands bowler as his team shared the trophy with Barbados following a tied final. Martin finished that tournament with 8 wickets from 5 matches but had the best economy rate of all bowlers – 2.82 runs per over.
Martin’s fellow Antiguan, Devon Thomas will retain duties behind the stumps after an impressive showing with the gloves at the Cricket World Cup.
WICB CEO Dr. Ernest Hilaire explained that the WICB remains focussed on the policy of building a new team for the future.
“With a view to the stated goal of winning the 2015 Cricket World Cup, in the 2011-2012 phase the Selection Committee will expose players to international cricket who could potentially play a vital role in the 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign,” Dr. Hilaire said.
Chairman of Selectors Clyde Butts commented: “We have looked at a mix of players who will take us through the next 5 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.”
“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, however 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,” Butts added.
“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 Edwards and Martin can step up similarly,” Butts said.
West Indies ODI Squad for First & Second Digicel ODIs
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
Team Management
Head Coach – Ottis Gibson
Team Manager – Richie Richardson
Assistant Coach – David Williams
Physiotherapist – CJ Clarke
Trainer – Hector Martinez-Charles
Video & Statistical Analyst – Richard Berridge
Media Manager – Philip Spooner
Masseur – Virgil Browne
As previously outlined by the CEO, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the WICB had reached out to players who had not taken up retainer contract offers. Fruitful discussions were had with Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.
With an appreciation to the rapidly evolving nature of international and domestic cricket and the need for players to benefit both in their professional development and having a level of financial security practical decisions were taken.
It was mutually determined that Pollard would be best served by being allowed to hone his T20 skills in the Indian Premier League which will bring future benefit to West Indies cricket. He will not play in the Digicel Series v Pakistan but remains committed to West Indies cricket and will be available for future selection to the West Indies team in all formats.
Dwayne Bravo, who is also contracted to an IPL franchise, will play in the Digicel One Day Series v Pakistan but will miss the two Digicel Tests v Pakistan in order to participate in the IPL. Like Pollard, Bravo also remains committed to West Indies cricket and will be available for future selection to the West Indies team in all formats.
Consistent with the policy to expose young players, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan were not selected.
Adrian Barath has not yet attained a level of satisfactory fitness and was not considered for selection.