Samuels In New Look Windies T20 Squad

St John’s, Antigua – The WICB Selection Committee on Wednesday named the squad for the Digicel T20 International against Pakistan at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Thursday, April 21.

Marlon Samuels has make a return to West Indies squad. Photo by Shiek Mohamed

The squad features several uncapped players at the international level. They have been selected based on performances in the Caribbean T20 Tournaments in 2010 and earlier this year.

Powerful right-handed batsman Danza Hyatt, all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, off-spinner Ashley Nurse, and left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie have received their maiden call ups to the international circuit.

There are also recalls for all-rounder Lendl Simmons, who last played for West Indies in 2010 in Australia, and batsman Marlon Samuels, who last played an international against Sri Lanka in 2008.

Squad:Darren Sammy (Captain), Christopher Barnwell,, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels; Krishmar Santokie and Lendl Simmons

WICB Chairman of Selectors, Clyde Butts said on the Digicel T20 Squad: “The squad includes players who have performed well in the Caribbean T20. We are looking to expose players as he build towards the next ICC World T20 Tournament next year. Samuels and Simmons have both played at this level before and performed consistently in the Caribbean T20. We believe they will be key members of this team.

“Hyatt, Santokie and Nurse played in the West Indies ‘A’ Team against Pakistan ‘A’ and they did well. We have decided to give them the opportunity in the senior West Indies team and we believe they will make the transition to the higher level. Barnwell also did well in the Caribbean T20 and he also had exposure for Guyana in the Champions League last year. He is a lively and enthusiastic cricketer and we expect good things from him as well.”

Butts added: “Hyatt is a hard-hitting batsman who has demonstrated his ability to be a match-winner when he played against Pakistan ‘A”. Santokie has been exceptional in the Caribbean T20 using the new ball for Jamaica. Nurse is a clever bowler, a hard worker and has the ability to make vital runs in the lower order as well.”

Digicel Series Schedule
April 18: Pakistan v Vice Chancellor’s XI (50 over) – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 21: Digicel Twenty20 – Beausejour Cricket Ground

Digicel ODI Series
April 23: First Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 25: Second Digicel ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 28: Third Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 2: Fourth Digicel ODI – Kensington Oval
May 5: Fifth Digicel ODI – Guyana National Stadium
May 8-9: Two-day practice match – Bourda Cricket Ground

Digicel Tests
May 12-16: First Digicel Test – Guyana National Stadium
May 20-24: Second Digicel Test – Warner Park