Laxman leading India A to the Caribbean

Test batsman Vangipurappu (V.V.S.) Laxman will lead the India A-Team that will take part in the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series.

Laxman, a regular member of India's Test team, was omitted from India's squad to the 2003 World Cup squad. He will lead a 15-member India A-Team with four other Test caps.

Apart from Laxman, the squad that arrives in the Caribbean on Thursday, February 6, includes batsman Hemang Badani, left-arm spin bowler Murali Kartik, fast bowler Tinu Yohannan and wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra.

"After being unable to make it to the Caribbean in time for their first match, we are pleased that India-A will be coming as our international invitee this year and we look forward to them adding some excitement to the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series," remarked Michael Hall, the Chief Cricket Operations Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board.

India A faces Barbados at Lucas Street in Barbados, starting on Saturday, February 8, before they revert to their original schedule of matches starting with the third round contest against Leeward Islands in Nevis, starting on February 14.

"The WICB will advise at a later stage when India A will play the match against West Indies B they missed because of their delayed arrival," Hall added.

The West Indies first-class championship, renamed the Carib Beer Cricket Series this year, has over the last few years seen the participation of the A Teams of other Test-playing nations. England A was the first international invitee two years ago and Bangladesh followed up last year.

Squad: Vangipurappu Laxman (captain), Hemang Badani, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Akash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir, Abhijit Kale, Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra, Rakesh Patel, Ajay Ratra, Ambati Rayudu, Avishkar Salvi, Connor Williams, Jai Yadav and Tinu Yohannan; Ashok Malhotra (coach), Ajay Jha (manager).