ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Kirk Edwards is the only complete newcomer named in a 15-member squad for the limited-overs leg of West Indies’ tour of Sri Lanka next month.

The uncapped batsman and fast bowler Andre Russell will be only two members of the squad without a One-Day International or Twenty20 International cap for West Indies, when the series begins.

Both Edwards and Russell have cemented their places in the squad, following strong performances for West Indies A during the last year.

Russell also had the chance to make his Test debut during the current series against the Sri Lankans in the drawn first Test at Galle.

Edwards has followed-up consistent scoring in regional competitions for his native Barbados, with some solid performances for Windies A in home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan A, as well as trips to Bangladesh and England, and so his elevation was predictable.

The West Indies selectors have also shipped-in all-rounder Kieron Pollard, left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul to replace Test vice-captain Brendan Nash, wicketkeeper/batsman Devon Thomas, fast bowler Nelon Pascal and off-spinner Shane Shillingford.

Pollard has been inactive since T&T exited the regional One-day competition at the first round stage, while Miller and Rampaul both made appearances for the A team in recent One-day matches against Pakistan A.

The selectors have continued to ignore the claims of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin, as well as left-hander Narsingh Deonarine, all of whom fell out of favour with the West Indies Cricket Board, and lost their central retainer contracts.

Of the three, Ramdin played for the A team against the Pakistanis, but his batting again let him down terribly, even though his wicket keeping remained satisfactory, so this means Carlton Baugh Jr’s return will continue.

West Indies play five ODIs and one T20I in Sri Lanka.

Squad:

Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Devon Smith.