- Chris Gayle and company still out in the cold

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Though the marquee players have ended their stand-off and made themselves available for selection, the West Indies Cricket Board have not budged on their original 30-man provisional squad for September’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Bharrat Jagdeo

The Board yesterday confirmed that the 30 players announced earlier in the week to prepare for the September 22 to October 5 tournament in South Africa would remain, despite the end of the West Indies Players Association strike which had resulted in the top Windies players sitting out the ongoing Bangladesh series in protest.

“This squad was chosen from among those players who declared themselves available for selection for the tournament within the deadline date for finalisation of the 30,” a WICB media release said yesterday.

“Selection of players by the selection committee of the WICB will at all times be made from the pool of players who make themselves available for selection and based on performance, conduct and demonstrated commitment to West Indies cricket.”

The Board’s latest announcement ends speculation over the possible re-inclusion of the first choice players for the tournament regarded as international cricket’s mini World Cup.

These players all made themselves unavailable for the Bangladesh series over pay and contract issues and resulted in a makeshift side being hastily assembled for the two-Test series

Following a meeting between the WICB, WIPA and CARICOM chairman, Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday, it was agreed that the players would make themselves available for selection while the outstanding issues were taken to arbitration.

The bulk of the 30-man provisional squad comprises inexperienced players who contested the Bangladesh series, many of whom have precious little international or first class experience.

However, fast bowler Fidel Edwards and recently axed pacer Daren Powell were included. Edwards was unavailable for the Bangladesh series through injury while Powell was dropped after England’s tour of the Caribbean earlier this year.