Daren Powell ... recalled to West Indies' Test squad. - FILE

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Lendl Simmons is the only complete newcomer in the West Indies squad for their tour of Pakistan next month.

The 21-year-old opening batsman was named in a 15-member squad yesterday for the series of three Tests that will be contested at Lahore (November 11-15), Multan (November 19-23), and Karachi (November 27 to December 1).

Off-spin bowler Omari Banks, unorthodox left-arm spin bowler Dave Mohammed, and fast bowler Daren Powell have all earned recalls.

Simmons has been rewarded for consistent performances in the regional first-class competition, as well as A-Team tours in the last two years.

His half-century and century in the final preliminary match of the 2005-06 Carib Beer Series helped his native Trinidad & Tobago secure their first regional title for 21 years.

Simmons, a nephew of former West Indies opening batsman Phil Simmons, scored one of the A-Team's two hundreds in first-class tour matches during their recent trip to England.

He will, however, have to contend with his national captain Daren Ganga for the slot alongside Chris Gayle, but if he misses out, he's still good enough to find a place in the middle order.

Banks is recalled for the first time in a little over one year. His previous Test was against Sri Lanka last August at Kandy.

He and Mohammed, who was dropped after the first Test against India earlier this year, may have regained their places following steady performances on the A-Team tour and in anticipation of the conditions in Pakistan.

Powell comes back into the side following his complete and surprising omission from the side during the home series against Zimbabwe and India earlier this year.

Squad: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice captain), Omari Banks, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Dave Mohammed, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor.