Sammy to lead squad for Sri Lanka one-dayers

Darren Sammy, currently leading the West Indies in their Test series against Sri Lanka, has been appointed captain of the squad for the limited-overs leg of the tour. The 15-member contingent sees the return of Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh and Devon Smith to the one-day side, and also includes uncapped batsman Kirk Edwards. The selectors have not appointed a vice-captain.

Ramnaresh Sarwan has been ignored for what is West Indies' last ODI engagement before the World Cup, after having not been selected for the Tests as well.

Edwards, Kieron Pollard, Nikita Miller and Ravi Rampaul will replace Brendan Nash, Devon Thomas, Nelon Pascal and Shane Shillingford, who are currently in Sri Lanka for the Tests. Fast bowler Andre Russell, who made his debut in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and is yet to play an ODI, has also been included.

While Baugh's return as first-choice wicketkeeper in place of Denesh Ramdin now extends to the one-day sphere, Smith - the top-order batsman who last played an ODI for West Indies in September 2009 - has also made a comeback. The selectors have also included Barath, who made his one-day debut against Zimbabwe in March before being ignored for the South Africa series.

Courtney Browne, the West Indies selector on tour said that this was an important series for them ahead of the upcoming World Cup in the sub-continent. "These are the last ODIs before the World Cup, so we expect the players to make the most of the opportunities."

Edwards, the Barbados batsman, was part of the West Indies A side that played Pakistan A on their just-concluded Caribbean tour.

West Indies play five ODIs and one Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. The series begins on December 9 with the first one-dayer at Hambantota.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh (wk), Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Devon Smith