West Indies name full-strength Test squad for South African Tour

Trinidadian Denesh Ramdin will lead the newly selected full-strength West Indies Test squad for their upcoming 2014-2015 tour of South Africa, starting next month.

The full squad reads; Denesh Ramdin (capt), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.

Chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said he and his panel have always looked to select the best and strongest team available, hence they are looking forward to this squad giving a good account of themselves for the three Tests in South Africa.

The three Tests are scheduled for Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town from December 17 through to January 6. The West Indies squad is due to depart the Caribbean on November 30, but the WICB said in a statement that tour contracts still had to be signed.

“All players selected have been notified of their selection and that their selection is contingent upon their signing of the Match Tour Contract which was sent to each player selected on Tuesday November 11,” the statement said.

“The deadline for the return of signed Match Tour Contracts to the WICB is 5pm (ECT), Tuesday, November 18.”

Missing from the squad is the one day team captain Dwayne Bravo, who was a major player in the dispute between the players and the WICB and former captain Darren Sammy.

The team is set to play three-test series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches and five limited-overs internationals.