ICC World Cup 2011: West Indies announce final squad
The West Indies Cricket Board announced their final squad for February’s ICC World Cup 2011 on Wednesday.
There were a few surprises in the 15-member squad of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 as the selectors recalled Guyanese batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Sarwan returns to the team after he had been left out of the national team’s rain-marred tour of Sri Lanka in November 2010. Sarwan’s last appearance for his country was in the One Day International series at home against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in May-June 2010. However,
he was subsequently dropped in the series due to fitness issues and his indifferent form in the domestic circuit of the country.
The 30-year-old is one of the most experienced West Indian players in the international circuit, having played 156 ODIs. He has 5,098 runs under his belt with a strike rate of 77.52. The nimble right-handed batsman is famous for his confident and precise
footwork.
Sarwan, who took over the captaincy from Brian Lara after the 2007 World Cup, before being succeeded by Chris Gayle, has had a rough season with his domestic team. Sarwan, who captained his side, averaged 21.33 in three games with one-half-century for Guyana
before his team was knocked out in the league stage.
Following his indifferent form in the domestic circuit, the WICB did not offer Sarwan a central contract in September 2010 that baffled him. He questioned the selectors’ decision saying he was getting “mixed signals” from them.
However, the selectors decided to make him a part of the squad due to his excellent ODI record in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, where West Indies will be playing five of their group matches of the World Cup. Sarwan has played 15 matches on Indian soil, smashing five half-centuries
with an average of 57.30.
The 15-man squad will be led by Darren Sammy, who succeeded Gayle in 2010 when the former skipper refused a WICB contract. Gayle, the rebel veteran player who recently went unsold in the Indian Premier League auctions, also found himself in the squad.
Fellow rebel players who had also turned down Board contracts, Dwayne Bravo and hard-hitting Kieron Pollard, were also named in the 15-man squad. The three players were selected after they took part in the domestic tournament deemed as a qualification ground
for the World Cup squad by the WICB.
Left-arm orthodox specialist spinners Sulieman Benn and Nikita Miller will be vital for the squad as the sub-continent is known to produce spin-friendly decks.
However, Jamaican pace bowler Jerome http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Russell-c87177, the fast bowling all-rounder, will be getting the chance of a lifetime to play in the World Cup.
Another surprise in the squad was the selection of Carlton Baugh, who would be donning the gloves as a wicketkeeper ahead of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Denesh-Ramdin-c53549.
The WICB’s chairman of selectors, Clyde Butts stated that the selection committee deliberated extensively and they have come up with a “good mix of players who will be able to do well in the Asian conditions.”
WICB rescheduled the ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 that was cancelled due to heavy rains in 2010. They will play three ODIs in Sri Lanka from 31 January to 6 February, 2011 which will provide them an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the sub-continent
conditions ahead of the World Cup.
West Indies World Cup Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Darren Bravo, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benn-c47745, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Kieron Pollard, Shivnarine
Chanderpaul, Ravi Rampaul, Chris Gayle.
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