Tag WI-Eng-2012

Relatively satisfactory performance in world cup 2011, then some more improvements on Indians tour and a fighting series at home against Australia ~ West Indies, a team that's been struggling for over two decades now, have recently shown hints of having found their way forward again with a settled bunch of cricketers but they'll be tested up-side down by world number one England in forth coming three test matches..

It will be the start of new season in England when ball does lot more and hence visiting Windies batsmen will have their work cut out. Selectors have opted for right-left hand pair of Kieran Powell and Adrian Barath as their openers, leaving out Kraigg Brathwaite. "We have got to continue to build for the future and we believe that Barath and Powell have bright futures in the game. We also feel this way about Kraigg Brathwaite, but he too, has lost some of his conviction and the selectors also feel playing him in the A team against India A will give him the chance to regain that confidence. None of the other openers in the region have stood out and we are hoping to strengthen this part of our cricket in future regional tournaments and the A-team tours", said WICB chairman of selectors Clyde Butts.

West Indies have a settled middle order in in-form Shivnarine Chanderpual joined by vice-captain Kirk Ewards and highly talented Darren Bravo. Marlon Samuels has also been included, leaving IPL mid-way to renew his test career. Narsingh Deonarine is other option for middle order after he scored a fifty and bowled few handy offspinning overs at home against Aussies.

If Windies can put run on board, they certainly have the bowling to take 20 wickets, specially in pace department with Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards bowling 150kmph consistently and then Ravi Rampaul who's always accurate at healhy speed and then captain Darren Sammy who'll surely be an asset in conditions expected. Selectors have also drafted in two young fast bowlers in Shannon Gabriel and Assad Fudadin. 28 year old Shannon Gabriel is from Trinidad and has played 23 first class games, taking 63 wickets at 29.82 a piece while Assad Fudadin is a 27 year old Guyanese, more known for his allround abilities as left handed batting to go with medium pace.

"We are going to England early in the season, where the conditions tend to favour the quick bowlers more than the spinners," Butts said. "Young Gabriel continues to impress the selectors in both regional and A-team cricket, and we feel it is a good time to introduce him to the team. We feel he will be an asset to the team in England and has a bright future in West Indies cricket", said Butts.

Windies selectors surprized everyone by leaving out Devendra Bishoo, picking Shane Shillingford as the only spinner in the 15 member squad. "Shillingford has bowled very well against the Australians and we expect a lot from him in England. Bishoo has done well for West Indies in the last year or so, but he has lost some of his confidence and the selectors feel playing him in the A team against India A will give him the chance to regain that confidence", Butts clearified.

West Indies squad for test match series in England 2012.
Darren Sammy (captain)	Adrian Barath	Kemar Roach
Shivnarine Chanderpual	Narsingh Deonarine	Ravi Rampaul
Kirk Edwards (v.capt)	Kieran Powell	Fidel Edwards
Darren Bravo	Denesh Ramdin (wk)	Shannon Gabriel
Marlon Samuels	Shane Shillingford	Assad Fudadin
Otis Gibson (coach)