Pacer Washington in, Rampaul out WI 16

BRIDGETOWN: Fast bowler Dwight Washington was the only newcomer named to the West Indies cricket squad yesterday for a training camp ahead of the forthcoming home series against England. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) also confirmed Brian Lara as captain for the series against England and the one that follows against Bangladesh. Washington who turns 21 on Friday, was chosen among five pacers in the 16-member party for the five-day camp, which begins on Thursday. The squad will be cut to 13 on March 8, ahead of the first of four Tests starting in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 11. The tall Jamaican joins Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Adam Sanford and Tino Best in the fast bowling department. Ravi Rampaul, currently representing the West Indies Under-19 team in the youth World Cup in Bangladesh, was not considered for selection, cricket officials said.

Washington, in his first season of first-class cricket, claimed 20 wickets at an average of 22 in the just concluded Carib Beer Cup tournament for the West Indies “B” team. The energetic Best and opening batsman Devon Smith were   recalled after even more impressive returns in the Carib Beer competition. Barbadian Best, who played his only Test against Australia last year, took 35 wickets at 12.60. Left-hander Smith was the leading batsman in the Carib Beer Cup, slamming four centuries in seven preliminary matches for the Windward Islands. The diminutive Grenadian returns after playing four Tests also against the Australians last year. The 34-year-old Lara leads the batting unit, which keeps Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Smith from the tour of South Africa. Ricardo Powell known mainly as a one-day specialist, and left-hander Ryan Hinds are also among the eight batsmen selected. Veteran Ridley Jacobs and his up-and-coming understudy Carlton Baugh, are the two wicketkeepers in the line-up. The only specialist slow bowler is left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed, who made his Test debut in South Africa in January.

The squad: Brian Lara (capt), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs, Dave Mohammed, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Tino Best, Carlton Baugh, Adam Sanford, Ryan Hinds, Ricardo Powell, Dwight Washington.