Windies name full strength squad for SA Tests

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The West Indies selectors have not punished the players for leaving their tour of India, naming a strong Test squad for the tour to South Africa next month, with Denesh Ramdin still in charge of the side.

There were rumours that Ramdin, and the skippers for the other formats, had been fired as a result of the abandoned tour, but this has proven to be false as he will lead Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, and company to face the Proteas.

This is contingent on the players signing a new contract though. They have until 18 November to sign their new deals, after a salary agreement, which the players said they had not agreed to, caused all the problems.

The WICB said in a statement: "All players selected have been notified of their selection and that their selection is contingent upon their signing of the match tour contract which was sent to each player selected on Tuesday, November 11.

"The deadline for the return of signed match your contracts to the WICB is 5pm (ECT), Tuesday, November 18."

Chief selector Clive Lloyd said it was never a question to send their best side: "Of course at all times the Selection Panel aims to select the best and strongest team available.

"We look forward to this squad giving a good account of themselves for the three Tests in South Africa.

"There is a significant amount of international cricket to be played over the next six months, including Test matches against some of the higher ranked teams in world cricket and as such it would be critical for the squad to get off on a positive note in South Africa."

Squad: Denesh Ramdin (capt), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Braithwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Christopher Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton

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