PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – All eyes will be on out-of-favour West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons when Trinidad and Tobago clash with South Africa in a two-day tour match starting here today.
The right-hander has been overlooked by West Indies selectors since returning from the One-Day International series in Australia in February due to what chairman Clyde Butts has referred to as “issues”.
It was only last year that the 25-year-old stroke-maker forced his way into Windies reckoning with a shot-filled 282 against touring England in St Kitts. Simmons will be anxious to get among the runs against the Proteas when the game bowls off at the Sir Frank Worrell Grounds, to send yet another message to unconvinced selectors. Team manager Colin Borde said he was expecting another fine showing from Simmons, who has played three Tests and 19 ODIs.
“I am very confident, Simmons will take his place on the West Indies team in the very near future,” Borde said.
The match will be an opportunity for several young players to also showcase their talents, including left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh who is set to make his senior team debut.
He has played for Combined Campuses and Colleges in the regional first class season but will be anxious to impress with the ball and carve out a spot on the T&T side.
