BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
THE West Indies selectors yesterday included left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell in their squad of 13 from whom they will name their final team for the fourth Test against South Africa, beginning in Antigua on Friday.
The West Indies Cricket Board, or WICB, announced McGarrell -- who bowls orthodox spin -- would replace David Mohammed, also a left-arm spinner. Mohammed was in the squad for the second and third Tests but not chosen for the starting XI.
The 28-year-old McGarrell is a surprise choice. A useful right-hand batsman and sharp fielder, he played five one-day internationals against England and South Africa in the past two years, but has never appeared in a Test.
His selection may indicate the West Indies will depend on spin, rather than their traditional strength of pace in the Antigua Test with McGarrell replacing one of the three fast bowlers who played in the third Test that ended in a draw here Monday.
If selected in the final XI, McGarrell would join leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, who has 15 wickets in the three Tests, and captain Carl Hooper whose off-spin gained him two wickets in South Africa's second innings of the third Test.
The squad: Carl Hooper (captain), Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Neil McGarrell, Merv Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Cameron Cuffy and Courtney Walsh.
