Chanderpaul makes a comeback

Missing out are the Jamaican pair of Ricardo Powell and off-spin bowler Nehemiah Perry, but Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Courtney Walsh and Adrian Griffith, all of whom missed the triangular series for varying reasons, have returned.

Mike Findlay, chairman of the West Indies selection panel, had indicated last week that nothing should be read into Sarwan’s non-selection to the West Indies under-23 side that played Pakistan over the weekend in Georgetown.

Findlay appeared only to be fooling himself, since Sarwan has gained the nod of approval despite a relatively weak first-class record of 1,590 runs in 36 matches at an average of 28.39.

He seems to have clinched his place based on his gathering a century in both innings for a West Indies Board President’s XI against Zimbabwe in Pointe-A-Pierre, Trinidad, in mid-March.

Sarwan is one of the brightest West Indies batting prospects. If he plays, Pakistan will present a true examination of his ability, since it is widely felt Zimbabwe are weaker opponents.

After serving a long apprenticeship, Nagamootoo is nearer to making his Test debut. In six long, hard seasons of first-class cricket, he has taken 145 wickets at 25.80 apiece.

He might have slipped into a state of depression earlier in the season, after the selectors completely ignored his 31 wickets at 20.83 apiece in this year’s Busta Cup and chose others with lesser credentials for first-class matches against Zimbabwe.

Nagamootoo may find it hard breaking into the final 11, though. Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Reon King and Franklyn Rose have bowled so splendidly in the last six weeks, the selectors may be inclined to keep them together even though the Bourda Oval pitch is normally quite benign.

The West Indies may feel much happier facing Pakistan knowing that Chanderpaul is fit again and seems to be carrying some kind of form.

Chanderpaul missed the 2000 Trophy series because of exhaustion and has been under medical observation over the last month.

After undergoing further treatment in Jamaica last week, he was given the freedom to play in a club match on the weekend there and scored an unbeaten 52 for Kingston Cricket Club against Boys Town.

In keeping with their policy to take exceptional care of their two aging warriors, Walsh was rested for the tri-nation limited-overs series. He returns looking to add to his World record tally of 435 wickets.

Griffith, the batting hero on the ill-starred tour of New Zealand, struggled with his form during the Zimbabwe Tests, but will be looking to give West Indies good opening stands along with vice-captain Sherwin Campbell against the Pakistanis.

McLean is recalled after bowling steadily, if not spectacularly, in the Busta Cup and the 2000 Trophy Series.

The team: Jimmy Adams (capt), Sherwin Campbell (vice-capt), Adrian Griffith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavel Hinds, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Franklyn Rose, Reon King, Nixon McLean, Mahendra Nagamootoo.