MARSHALL
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
Attacking batsmen Xavier Marshall and Dwayne Smith have been included in a 13-man West Indies squad announced yesterday for the first two matches of the Digicel One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa next Saturday and Sunday.
Marshall, who was first chosen to represent the West Indies in the VB Triangular Series in Australia earlier this year, has not played for the senior team since.
Further, he was also dropped from the Jamaica team towards the end of the Carib Beer Series for behaviour that was considered inimical to the performance of the team.
The 19-year old Jamaican batting sensation was subsequently also left out of the training squad for the current Digicel Series against South Africa.
He makes his return to the regional side at a time when the West Indies selectors have indicated the start of their preparations for the 2007 World Cup to be held in the Caribbean.
In a release from the West Indies Cricket Board yesterday, Convenor of Selectors, Joey Carew, noted that his panel had brought back in players who were in the squad for the VB Series in Australia as they sought to build the squad for the Cricket World Cup to be played in the West Indies in 2007.
These eight games, five against South Africa and three against Pakistan, give us a chance to begin preparations for the tournament and we will be trying players in certain positions, Carew said.
Marshall, whose allround qualities have already gained the endorsement of West Indies coach Bennett King, is a gifted opening batsman and a sharp fielder.
Smith, who announced his arrival on the international scene with a run-a-ball, unbeaten Test century against South Africa last January, returns to the ODI team after a break as well.
He last represented the West Indies in the Test series against England in England last year when he injured his right shoulder during the fourth and final Test at The Oval.
Fellow Barbadian Corey Collymore, ignored for the Test series, has also been recalled for the two ODIs scheduled for Sabina Park.
He will join left armers Ian Bradshaw and Pedro Collins, along with Test pacer Daren Powell in forming the seam attack for the two games.
West Indies will play five ODIs against South Africa.
SQUAD: Shivnarine Chander-paul (captain), Christopher Gayle, Xavier Marshall, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Courtney Browne, Corey Collymore, Daren Powell, Pedro Collins, Ian Bradshaw.
