The blistering opening batsman, Chris Gayle, has won the confidence of the WICB selectors and has been named in the team for the 1st Test vs. New Zealand.
Christopher Henry Gayle
He was born on September 21, 1979, in Kingston, Jamaica, a left hand batsman and a right arm off break occasional bowler. He has played for West Indies, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Barisal Burners, Jamaica, Western Australia, Kolkata Knight Riders, Worcestershire and Sydney Thunder.
The 32-year-old is an aggressive batsman who has the ability to punish any type of bowling all around the cricketing world. The bowlers get harsh treatment from his bat once he gets going and he is among one of the best T20 batsmen in the globe.
Gayle did not enjoy good terms with the West Indies Cricket Board previously and was neglected for nearly 18 months. The issues with the board have recently been settled, he rejoined the Windies and started playing for the nation. He appeared in the second One Day International against England on June 19, 2012, at Kennington Oval, London, almost after 16 months.
The explosive left handed batsman played his last Test vs. Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in December, 2010. He has appeared in 91 Tests, scored 6373 runs at an average of 41.65, the best of 333 with 13 centuries and 33 fifties. His off spin bowling has earned him 72 wickets, averaging 41.59 per wicket with the best of 5-34 in an innings and 6-81 in a match.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
The left hand middle order batsman has recovered fully from a side strain which kept him out of the last and final Test played against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in June 2012. He played his last Test vs. the hosts England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in May, 2012.
The 37-year-old has taken part in 142 Tests, hammered 10290 runs at an excellent average of 50.44, the best of unbeaten 203 with 25 hundreds and 61 fifties.
Darren Bravo, another competent batsman of the Windies has not been considered for selection as he is still recovering from a groin injury.
The right arm off spinner, Sunil Narine and the left hand middle order batsman, Assad Fudadin, both made their Test debut vs. England on June 7, 2012, at Edgbaston, Birmingham and have been included in the side.
The squad will be lead by the all-rounder, Darren Sammy, who has played 27 Tests, scored 984 runs averaging 21.39, the best of 106 with a couple of fifties. He has taken 70 wickets at an average of 32.40, the best of 7-66 in an innings and 8-98 in a match.
He was given the charge of captaincy in October 2010, for the away series against Sri Lanka. He has led the side in 19 Tests, won 2 and lost 8, whereas 9 ended in a draw.
Squad:
Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Assad Fudadin, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Narsingh Deonarine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Tino Best, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine.
The first Test against New Zealand will commence from July 25, 2012, at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
Leave a Reply