BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Rookies Andre Russell and Devon Thomas have caught the eye of

West Indies head coach Ottis Gibson.

The duo, picked in the 15-man Test squad for Sri Lanka, has been working hard at the Windies training camp at the 3Ws Oval for the last few days, in preparation for their first tour of duty with the regional squad.

Russell, a 22-year-old fast bowling all-rounder, impressed on the Windies ‘A’ tour of England earlier this year and also shone in the recent WICB One-Day Championship in Jamaica.

“Russell is picked on bags and bags of potential. He’s come here and fitted in well. He is enjoying himself,” said Gibson.

“He’s the kind of player who brings energy to the team and he’s a good, young player to work with… a good listener and someone willing to do the hard work.

“My role at this stage is to try him to improve what he’s good at and look to learn a few new ideas as well.”

Thomas, meanwhile, who played two One-Day Internationals in a weakened Windies side against Bangladesh last year, has also impressed.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper, who has turned out for the West Indies Under-19s, has been on the fringe of selection for some time now.

“Young Thomas is the same. He’s a little bit of a workaholic, which is not a bad thing at all,” Gibson pointed out.

“Sometimes we have to tell him ‘that’s enough now’ and stuff like that, but I like his enthusiasm for the game. I hope that as he goes through his journey into international cricket, that doesn’t dwindle. The sky is the limit for him.”

Russell and Thomas are two of three uncapped players in the squad with left-handed stroke-maker Darren Bravo also included.