Parchment called to WIndies

Brenton Parchment, the Jamaican opening batsman, has been called up to the West Indies squad for the one-day international series against Zimbabwe later this month. Parchment is the only uncapped player included in the squad of 15.

Though he has struggled for consistency in first-class cricket – averaging 27.56 through 34 matches – Parchment has found form in recent times. The 25-year-old scored 111 and 168 in one game in the Carib Beer Series earlier this year, and he scored a total of 154 runs at 39 in the recent KFC Cup one-day tournament.

Returning to the team is Narsingh Deonarine, the Guyanese allrounder, who has not represented West Indies at senior level since 2005, when he played 4 Tests and 4 ODI matches. He was called up to the team for the recent World Twenty20, but did not feature in any of the matches.

Legspinner Rawl Lewis is the final new addition to the team. Lewis earns his second recall to the team, having last been recalled for the West Indies tour of New Zealand. In 4 Tests Lewis has taken just 1 wicket at a record expense of 388. He also has 14 wickets through his 20 ODI caps. Over the years since his debut in 1997, Lewis has been consistent with both bat and ball for the Windward Islands, and will add a lot of experience and leadership to the squad.

Noticeably absent from the squad are Barbadians Corey Collymore and Dwayne Smith. Collymore has been one of the most consistent and economical bowlers for West Indies, but has hardly bowled over recent months and has been excluded as such. Smith, the allrounder, has struggled mightily with the bat through his 71 matches, averaging 14.72. His handy bowling and brilliant fielding has remained an asset, but he has finally fallen out of favour.

In the absence of the injured Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle will lead the team. Earlier this year he led West Indies to a 2-1 win over England. Henderson Springer and David Williams will serve as coaches, as newly-appointed John Dyson will not yet take up his coaching duties.

West Indies ODI squad:
CH Gayle (c), S Chanderpaul, D Ramdin (wk), MN Samuels, DJJ Bravo, NO Deonarine, FH Edwards, DB Powell, R Rampaul, RNE Lewis, RS Morton, BA Parchment, DJG Sammy, DS Smith, JE Taylor.