St John's-Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons have been recalled to the West Indies team in a T20 squad for the Digicel T20 International against Pakistan at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Thursday, April 21. The WICB Selection Committee yesterday the 13-man squad in which there are several uncapped players at the international level. A release from the Board said the players 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 all received their maiden call ups to the international circuit. 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, have both enjoyed good T20 and regional first class seasons.
The 30-year-old right-hander had been sidelined from international cricket after being slapped with a two-year ban in 2008 for inappropriate ties to a bookie. The suspension ended last year. An elegant player, Samuels stormed back into the selectors' favour after amassing 830 runs in the Regional First Class Championship, the most by any player. WICB chairman of selectors, Clyde Butts said the squad includes players who have performed well in the Caribbean T20. "We are looking to expose players as they 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."
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." There is no specialist wicket-keeper in the squad and either Andre Fletcher, Simmons or Darren Bravo, who stood behind the wicket in the lead up to the recently concluded ICC World Cup, may find themselves with the gloves. Hardhitting opener Chris Gayle and allrounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard did not qualify for selection due to non-participation in the Caribbean T20 2011.
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
Lendl Simmons
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.