West Indies selectors look beyond Gayle

West Indies News: No Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul in the team announced for the first two ODIs

West Indies Cricket Board has made a significant move by banking on youth as they announced the squad for first the two ODIs against Pakistan starting on April 22. Chris Gayle, the master blaster, has been dumped and there was no place also for Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sulieman Benn and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Chris Gayle was a leading voice among players who were at loggerheads with the board over issues of contracts and payments. He, on a number of occasions, had expressed his liking for commercial T20 cricket ahead of Tests. Chanderpaul and Sarwan failed to deliver in the World Cup while Benn was overshadowed by the performance of young Devendra Bishoo.

The board has set a policy that a player will be eligible for selection in a particular format if he participates in the domestic tournaments of the corresponding format. For the same reason, both Pollard and Dwayne Bravo were not picked for the Twenty20 game against Pakistan. Bravo, however, has been named in the ODI squad as he will skip the Test series, with permission, to play in the IPL.

Kieron Pollard too has been granted permission to feature in the IPL instead of the the ODIs against Pakistan. A WICB press release stated: "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 series against Pakistan, but remains committed to West Indies cricket and will be available for future selection to the West Indies team in all formats."

On the exclusion of the experienced trio, a West Indies Cricket Board press release said: "Consistent with the policy to expose young players, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan were not selected." "We have looked at a mix of players who will take us through the next five to ten years, and with this squad we have put together a youthful but exciting combination of exceptionally talented cricketers who we believe can win matches," WICB chairman of selectors Clyde Butts stated.

Marlon Samuels, after his ban has been lifted, has been drafted in while Anthony Martin, a legspinner from Antigua, is the only uncapped player named.

Darren Sammy will lead while Dwayne bravo has been named as his deputy.

Squad (first two ODIs): Darren Sammy (capt), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Darren Bravo, Devon Smith, Devendra Bishoo, Andre Russell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach , Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Thomas (wk).