New faces in West Indies one-day squad

The West Indies selectors made some bold but necessary moves this past week as they announced a young and exciting side for the upcoming ICC Knock-Out Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya from October 3rd - 15th. The side is a mixture of upcoming prospects and `A' Team players who have been selected to give certain players such as Ridley Jacobs a much needed and well-deserved rest from the grueling international scene.

The new faces are uncapped players Azeemul Haniff and Colin Stuart from Guyana, Marlon Samuels from Jamaica, and Kerry Jeremy from Antigua. Haniff is a young opening batsmen with unquestionable talent and a level head necessary for the opening slot. Stuart is a fast bowler who thrives on aggressive bowling and has performed consistently for both his native Guyana and the West Indies `A' Squads. Samuels (whom I have competed against at the under-19 level) is a right-handed attacking middle order batsmen who also bowls some useful off-spinners. He is the younger brother of former West Indian opener Robert Samuels. Kerry Jeremy is a slightly built fast bowler who has only recently gained selection for the Leeward Islands but has impressed from the start. He is hard working and is learning quickly. He is also cousin to Anguillian `quickie' Marlon Martin.

It is extremely refreshing to see a young squad leave for an international tournament and much support should be given as the rebuilding process continues for West Indies Cricket.

Full squad reads:- Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Sylvester Joseph, Courtney Browne, Azeemul Haniff, Marlon Samuels, Nixon McLean, Mervyn Dillon, Laurie Williams, Kerry Jeremy, Colin Stuart and Mahendra Nagamootoo.