14 for Singapore (24 July 1999)

24 July 1999

14 for Singapore

Tony Cozier

The West Indies selectors have made the obvious alterations from their World Cup squad for a limited one-day tournament in Singapore next month.

But Wavell Hinds, the 22-year-old Jamaican left-hand batsman, is the only newcomer in the 14 named yesterday.

Keith Arthurton, Phil Simmons and Stuart Williams make way for Hinds, Adrian Griffith, the tall left-handed opener who returned to the Test side against Australia earlier this year, and Nixon McLean.

But their opportunities will be restricted to three 50-overs matches at the most. The West Indies play Zimbabwe and India and, hopefully, the final.

Another team will be announced later for the larger three-way Coca-Cola tournament in Sharjah in October that involves two matches each against Pakistan and Sri Lanka leading to the final.

Chairman of selectors, Mike Findlay, indicated that a few changes could expected for that.

"As the committee looks forward to the future, it sees the need to use these short tours to expose and groom young, talented cricketers," Findlay said in a release from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Explaining that they had taken into account the physical demands of a packed regional and international programme over the next year, the selectors are alternating the two great, but aging, fast bowlers, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose.

"Befitting their great ability and vast experience, Walsh and Ambrose will be providing the guidance and nurturing to the young fast bowlers," Findlay said.

Mervyn Dillon, Reon King, Hendy Bryan and McLean are the fast bowlers who will accompany Walsh to Singapore. The first three were at the World Cup, McLean is presently struggling with Hampshire in the English county championship to overcome a knee injury that kept him out of the last West Indies season.

Others could be brought in for Sharjah, such as Corey Collymore and the left-arm Pedro Collins, both of whom made their Test debuts against Australia last season, as could batsmen like Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga.

At 36, Simmons' omission marks the end of a chequered career that started in the 1987 World Cup. He had indicated that the World Cup would be his final appearance.

The two Nevisians, Keith Arthurton, 34, and Stuart Williams, 30 next month, also go out. Given their ages and inconsistency, they are unlikely to return but West Indies batting is in such a state...

IN SINGAPORE

September 2: West Indies v Zimbabwe

September 4: India v Zimbabwe

September 5: West Indies v India

September 7: Final

IN SHARJAH

October 13: Sri Lanka v West Indies

October 14: Pakistan v West Indies

October 15: Pakistan v Sri Lanka

October 17: Sri Lanka v West Indies

October 18: Pakistan v Sri Lanka

October 19: Pakistan v West Indies

October 22: Final.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)