ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Leeward Islands have axed veteran all-rounder Wilden Cornwall from a 13-man squad named for the opening round fixture of the Regional First Class Championship against England Lions starting Friday.
The 37-year-old led the Leewards in the recent Caribbean Twenty20 Championships but has been replaced at the helm by Steve Liburd.
No explanation has been given by the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA) about the 37-year-old Cornwall’s omission but it is believed the selectors are looking to the future with their selection policy.
Only last year, Cornwall topped the Leewards’ batting as he led them to a share of the Regional One-Day Championship title, after tying with Barbados in the final in Jamaica.
However, he presided over a miserable campaign in the CT20 in Antigua and Barbados earlier this month where the Leewards bowed out at the preliminary stage after winning just one of their four matches.
The burly batsman and medium-pacer has appeared in 53 first-class matches scoring 1,959 runs at an average of 23.89 with highest being 111. He has taken 106 wickets at 30.86 apiece with a best of six for 53.
Meanwhile, former West Indies off-spinning all-rounder Omari Banks has been recalled following his surprising T20 omission.
He will join a squad that includes one new face in teenaged Antiguan all-rounder Shane Burton, who holds the West Indies Under-19 record for the highest 50-over score – 172 against the Windward Islands last August.
Windies players, vice-captain Lionel Baker and Gavin Tonge will spearhead the pace attack which also includes rookie Kelbert Walters.
West Indies A leg-spinner Anthony Martin leads the slow bowling department which also includes Justin Athanaze.
Devon Thomas, the second string Windies wicketkeeper on the recent Test tour of Sri Lanka, will shoulder the batting duties along with his fellow High Performance graduate, Keiron Powell, Liburd, Tonito Willett, Banks and Montcin Hodge.
SQUAD – Steve Liburd (captain), Lionel Baker (vice-captain), Gavin Tonge, Anthony Martin, Devon Thomas, Justin Athanaze, Keiran Powell, Jacques Taylor, Tonito Willett, Omari Banks, Montcin Hodge, Kelbert Walters, Shane Burton.
