Ramdin named Windies ODI vice-captain

	Denesh Ramdin and Fidel Edwards return to West Indies limited-overs squad for New Zealand © AFP

Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin has been named as Chris Gayle's deputy for the five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals on the tour of New Zealand. Ramdin, who was not part of the team for the recent ODIs in Abu Dhabi, replaces Ramnaresh Sarwan as vice-captain. Sarwan has been named vice-captain for the upcoming two-Test series, a squad which includes Ramdin.

Besides Ramdin, fast bowler Fidel Edwards and allrounder Kieron Pollard make a return to the ODI side, with batsman Leon Johnson, fast bowler Kemar Roach and chinaman bowler Dave Mohammed left out from the team that was in Abu Dhabi.

Ramdin's appointment comes as a surprise. He had been dropped from West Indies' ODI squad for the tri-series in Canada in August and the postponed Champions Trophy. Since January 2007, Ramdin has averaged 14.11 with only one half-century from 33 ODIs.

He was also not part of the victorious Stanford Superstars squad at the Stanford 20/20 for 20; instead he steered Trinidad & Tobago to the US$280,000 prize in their clash with fellow domestic champions Middlesex. Ramdin, with 91 runs from three games, finished as the second highest run-getter in the Super Series.

"When I was asked to do the job I immediately said yes, I did not hesitate," Ramdin said. "We have a crucial series coming up and I aim to play a major role. This is an opportunity to be in a leadership position and I am hoping to lead by example. This has given me added confidence and I will be looking to improve my batting and keeping."

As in the Test squad, West Indies have named two keepers, with Carlton Baugh competing with Ramdin. Another Trinidad & Tobago player, Pollard, makes it to the team. Pollard scored 120 runs in two innings in the WICB Cup - the premier domestic one-day tournament - which T&T won, as well as taking nine wickets at 14.22. He made his ODI debut for West Indies in a World Cup match against South Africa last year but has since played only three more times, the last against Australia in June.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn will stay on after the Tests for the two Twenty20 internationals on December 26 and 28. The five-ODI series begins on December 31.

West Indies limited-overs squad: Xavier Marshall, Chris Gayle (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Kieron Pollard, Shawn Findlay, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Carlton Baugh (wk), Fidel Edwards, Brendan Nash, Nikita Miller, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn (only for the Twenty20 internationals).