Bridgetown (Barbados): Opening batsman Chris Gayle was omitted from the West Indies squad for the first Test against Australia, as questions of his eligibility remained unresolved, cricket officials announced on Saturday.
The selectors left the hard-hitting, 23-year-old left-hander out of a 14-member squad, though the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said he should be eligible despite his choosing not to represent Jamaica in the Carib Beer Challenge final against Barbados this weekend. Gayle instead opted to play in the inaugural Double-Wicket World Championship, currently taking place in St.Lucia. The Board said Saturday in a statement that it believed he was eligible, as did the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), but was awaiting Gayle's own report before making a final ruling. Talented right-hander Ramnaresh Sarwan, the recently-appointed vice-captain, also missed selection because of injury. The 22-year-old damaged his index finger on his right hand two weeks ago and has been ruled out. Former captain Carl Hooper, who is partnering Gayle in the St. Lucia tournament, retains his place in the side. The 36-year-old and his successor, Brian Lara, lead the batting along with left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Daren Ganga, Wavell Hinds, Devon Smith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Jermaine Lawson, Carlton Baugh Jr and David Bernard Jr. Agencies
Extras:Windies, Kiwis enter semis in Double-Wicket tourney
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