ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) - Opening batsman Ryan Ramdass and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller are the only uncapped international players named in a 15-member West Indies A-Team that will visit Sri Lanka, starting later this month.

Eight players with Test experience, including captain Daren Ganga and vice-captain Narsingh Deonarine, have been named in the squad that will undertake the one-month tour to the Asian nation.

Roger Brathwaite, chief executive of the West Indies Cricket Board, outlined that the tour is part of the development programme funded by new West Indies team sponsors Digicel.

"The tour is viewed as a key element in the process of putting West Indies cricket back at the pinnacle of the world game," he said.

"A-Team tours and visits to the region by similar teams from other countries were integral to the development of our young players," he added.

"We are thankful that Digicel has committed themselves to supporting this very crucial element in the development process of our cricket."

The A-Team leaves the Caribbean this week, and is scheduled to play three "Tests" of four days duration, and five limited-overs games against the hosts' A-Team.

Ramdass and Miller were considered unlucky not to have been picked for the senior West Indies' side during their recent home series against South Africa and Pakistan.

Others like Marlon Samuels, Dave Mohammed, Dave Bernard, Jr, Jermaine Lawson, Carlton Baugh, Jr, Kerry Jeremy, who have all been out of favour with the selectors in recent matches, all have a chance to impress, and stay on for the senior team's visit to the Asian despot.

A WICB news release said the naming of the squad had been delayed owing to a pay dispute with the West Indies Players' Association. Media reports suggested the dispute was settled after intense negotiations that began with the WICB offering not to pay the players, since it viewed the trip as a developmental tour that offered no revenues.

Apparently, WIPA held the view that if the players were required to wear Digicel-branded gear, and participate in sponsor-related activities, then the players would have to be paid.

Both parties finally reached an agreement earlier this week, and players are set to earn between US$2,500 and US$4,000.

Former Windward Islands and West Indies fast bowler Ian Allen has been named coach, and former Jamaica spin bowler Lyndel Wright has been named manager.

The latter half of the A-Team tour is set to coincide with the first part of the senior team's trip, and it is understood that the WICB may be considering picking only 13 players for the senior squad, and use the A-Team personnel to supplement.

Squad:

Daren Ganga (captain), Narsingh Deonarine (vice captain), Carlton Baugh, Jr, Dave Bernard, Jr, Tino Best, Kerry Jeremy, Jermaine Lawson, Xavier Marshall, Dave Mohammed, Runako Morton, Nikita Miller, Ryan Ramdass, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Dwight Washington.

Itinerary:

JUNE
23-26: First "Test" - Dambulla
29-JULY 2: Second "Test" - Colombo
5-9: Third "Test" - Colombo
11: 1st One-day match - Colombo
13: 2nd One-day match - Colombo
15: 3rd One-day match - Colombo
17: 4th One-day match - Colombo
19: 5th One-day match - Colombo

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