The flamboyant Chris Gayle is unlikely to get a farewell Test against India after being overlooked in the 13-strong West Indies squad for the two-Test series starting August 22 at North Sound in Antigua.
The only new face in the side is big-bodied spin bowling all-rounder from Leeward Islands Rahkeem Cornwall. The 26-year-old Cornwall weighs 140kg and stands at 6 feet 6 inches.
Gayle, who is just six weeks shy of his 40th birthday, had last played a Test in 2014, against Bangladesh.
Prior to the World Cup match against India in Manchester in June, Gayle had expressed his desire to play one final Test, preferably at his home ground Sabina Park in Kingston.
However, the West Indies selection committee decided otherwise. In fact, former pace great Curtly Ambrose, in an earlier interview with PTI, had said that if Gayle was selected, it would be a step backward.
“If Chris Gayle wants to play an ODI series or a T20 series, well, that’s not a problem. In terms of Test matches for me is a no-no,” Ambrose had said.
“Gayle hasn’t played Test matches for five years. Bringing him back for one Test, I think, is a backward step. What kind of message are you sending to the younger players? ODIs and T20s are not a problem as he still is a destructive player, but Test matches, no, definitely not,” the former fast bowler had added.
Cornwall, who bowls off-breaks and is a handy lower-middle-order batsman made it. He first played First Class cricket in 2014 and has 260 wickets and 2224 runs from 55 matches. He recently scored two half-centuries in two unofficial ‘Tests’ against India.
The 26-year-old couldn’t be included earlier because of fitness issues.
“Rahkeem has been performing consistently over a long period of time and has proven to be a match-winner, so we believe his elevation to the Test squad is merited at this time,” Robert Haynes, the head of CWI’s interim selection panel, said.
“We believe he can provide an attacking option to our bowling attack with his sharp turn and extra bounce. He can also lend a bit of depth to the batting, so we are looking forward to him coming into the squad and making a valuable contribution,” Haynes said.
The squad: Jason Holder (Capt.), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul and Kemar Roach.
