Denesh Ramdin has been retained as captain of a full-strength West Indies Test squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa, but the players have been given a deadline of November 18 to sign tour contracts. The squad is the first to be named since West Indies walked out of their tour of India last month due to a pay dispute between the players, the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association.
“Of course at all times the selection panel aims to select the best and strongest team available,” chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said. “We look forward to this squad giving a good account of themselves for the three Tests in South Africa.
“There is a significant amount of international cricket to be played over the next six months, including Test matches against some of the higher ranked teams in world cricket and as such it would be critical for the squad to get off on a positive note in South Africa.
“Specifically we have selected young fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell who is a good prospect. The selection panel is looking to introduce players such as Cottrell who can contribute in moving West Indies cricket forward.”
The three Tests are scheduled for Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town from December 17 through to January 6. The West Indies squad is due to depart the Caribbean on November 30, but the WICB said in a statement that tour contracts still had to be signed.
“All players selected have been notified of their selection and that their selection is contingent upon their signing of the Match Tour Contract which was sent to each player selected on Tuesday November 11,” the statement said. “The deadline for the return of signed Match Tour Contracts to the WICB is 5pm (ECT), Tuesday, November 18.”
Test squad Denesh Ramdin (capt), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.