HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) - The West Indies tour selectors last night named 12 players, minus captain Brian Lara, for their three-day tour opener against Zimbabwe A at Takashinga starting today.
Lara, experienced wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, and pacers Corey Collymore and Fidel Edwards, have been omitted from the line-up, and the eleven will be decided this morning.
Teenager Ravi Rampaul has been named in the 12 as cover for pacer Mervyn Dillon, who has a slight shoulder ailment.
Team manager Ricky Skerritt said the team is focused and have applied themselves well -- since arriving on Monday -- ahead of the first Test against Zimbabwe starting next Tuesday.
“We’ve set off to work in a professional manner, the guys have put in a lot of hard work,” Skerritt told CMC Sport.
“We had a four-hour net on Tuesday afternoon, a three-hour net yesterday morning, and the attitude has been very encouraging. The guys understand that they are here to work, and so far we’ve been working really hard in preparation for this match with a view towards the first Test.”
Coming out of the regional Red Stripe Bowl limited overs competition earlier this month, Skerritt said the squad must use the three-dayer to readjust to the longer version of the game.
“They haven’t played any first-class cricket for a while and it is very important for the batsmen to get in and have a knock, have a long stay at the wicket.
“We’ve got to get among the wickets, and get some confidence going,” Skerritt said.
Zimbabwe named Dion Ebrahim to lead their ‘A’ side in which seven players have international experience.
The West Indies will play two Tests before five One-Day Internationals on the month-long tour.
Squads:
West Indies - Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Omari Banks, Carlton Baugh, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Jerome Taylor, Ravi Rampaul.
Zimbabwe A - Dion Ebrahim (captain), Travis Friend, Craig Evans,