[www.inewsguyana.com] – The West Indies Cricket Board Selection Panel on Thursday, January 28, named left arm spinner Nikita Miller to replace Sunil Narine in the West Indies Cricket World Cup squad.
Miller, 32, has featured in 45 One Day Internationals and has taken 40 wickets with a best of 4 for 43 against Zimbabwe. Miller last appeared in ODIs for the West Indies in March 2014, against England.
Narine withdrew from the West Indies squad, citing the need for more time to confidently bowl for sustained periods with his new action.
Narine had told the WICB that he would take care of his rehabilitation on his own. It is understood that Knight Riders were heavily involved in helping Narine during the time. After more than three months away from competitive cricket, Narine was instrumental in Trinidad & Tobago winning the domestic one-day competition on Sunday.
He delivered an unbroken eight-over spell in which he cut through Guyana with his variations on his way to a six-for that included the wicket of the vastly-experienced Shivnarine Chanderpual, who was lbw to a classic offbreak.
Despite that successful comeback, Narine admitted that he was not completely confident about returning to international cricket.
The Cricket World Cup commences on February 14 with West Indies playing their opening match on February 16 against Ireland.
West Indies Cricket World Cup squad
Jason Holder (Captain)
Marlon Samuels (Vice Captain)
Sulieman Benn
Darren Bravo
Jonathan Carter
Sheldon Cottrell
Christopher Gayle
Nikita Miller
Denesh Ramdin
Kemar Roach
Andre Russell
Darren Sammy
Lendl Simmons
Dwayne Smith
Jerome Taylor
West Indies CWC Pool B Schedule
February 16 – West Indies v Ireland at Nelson
February 21 – West Indies v Pakistan at Christchurch
February 24 – West Indies v Zimbabwe at Canberra
February 27 – West Indies v South Africa at Sydney
March 6 – West Indies v India at Perth
March 15 – West Indies v UAE at Napier
Veersammy Permaul has been taking wickets regularly of late. I wonder why he is overlooked by our wise selectors? Also
his batting averages is better than Miller.