ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board Selection Panel today announced that Devon Smith has been selected to replace fellow left-handed opener Christopher Gayle in the West Indies Test squad to South Africa. Gayle, 35, has been replaced due to injury.
The 33-year-old Smith is in fine form, coming off a first innings century against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the third round of the PCL.
He has represented the West Indies in 33 Tests since debuting in 2003 against Australia in Guyana.
Left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell will depart the Caribbean on Friday to join the Test squad in South Africa. The Selection Panel had requested that Cottrell, 25, play in the third round of the PCL 4 Day to allow the Panel an opportunity to determine his match readiness after sustaining an injury on the West Indies ‘A’ Team tour to Sri Lanka.
Cottrell took 5-42 for the Jamaica Franchise against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force as the Jamaicans took first innings points.