Gayle recalled for Third Test

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies cricket selectors have recalled left-handed opener Chris Gayle for the Third Test against Australia starting May 1, officials said yesterday.

The 23-year-old left-handed opening batsman was a left out of the lineup for the opening two matches after he played in an international double-wicket tournament in St Lucia rather than for Jamaica against Barbados in the final of the Carib Beer Series, the premier West Indies’ domestic tournament. Gayle, who had played 24 consecutive Tests, returns at the expense of fellow Jamaican Wavell Hinds. Left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins, who took only one wicket for 253 runs in the first two Tests, and 21-year-old all-rounder David Bernard, who made his debut in the Second Test, were also dropped from the squad.

Aside from Gayle, the Windies team was boosted also by the healthy return of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs and Jermaine Lawson. Left-hander Chanderpaul, who scored Test cricket’s third fastest century off 69 balls in the series opener in Guyana, was a late withdrawal from the Second Test in Trinidad with a knee complaint. Wicket-keeper Jacobs, with a strained groin, and fast bowler Lawson, with chicken pox, also missed the Trinidad Test after appearing in the first match.

The Australians have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. They start a three-day practice match today against the University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s team. West Indies squad: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Daren Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best, Carlton Baugh, Omari Banks, Marlon Samuels.