CASTRIES, St Lucia (AFP) — Ramnaresh Sarwan has been recalled to the West Indies squad for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia, while Marlon Samuels was left out due to an eye injury sustained in the Big Bash league.

Right-handes batsman Sarwan, 32, last played for the Windies in ODIs in June 2011, but fell out of favour with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) because of a public dispute about coaching and training methods.

He also received damages after his fitness was publicly called into question and he lost a central contract to play for the Caribbean side.

“I’m happy to be back in the team. Obviously I’ve been out for a while, but it feels really good to be back representing the West Indies,” said Sarwan.

“I am really looking forward to this tour and I’m confident things will go well for us in Australia.”

Sarwan, who averages 43.41 runs per ODI innings after amassing 5,644 runs in 173 matches, added: “As a team we like the ball when it comes onto the bat so we should enjoy the conditions in Australia. I have played there a few times and we have other experienced members of the team who have played there as well.

“The team has been playing some good cricket recently so I will just fit in. I am an experienced player at the international level and will look to play my part and make a contribution in anyway I’m called upon.

“I am hitting the ball pretty well. It’s a matter of me trying to get myself in and settle down and look to get big scores for the team. I want to get scores and help the team to win matches.”

Samuels sustained a suspected fractured eye socket while playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash league, during which he was involved in an ugly confrontation with spinner Shane Warne, which saw the Melbourne Stars skipper banned.

His absence opens the door for the return of left-hand batsman Narsingh Deonarine, who last played in an international one-dayer back in June 2010.

The 15-man squad, to play five ODIs and a Twenty20 match next month, will be led by Darren Sammy with Dwayne Bravo as his deputy.

West Indies squad — Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Thomas

Schedule:

Tuesday, January 29: vs Prime Minister’s XI – Manuka Oval, Canberra

Friday, February 1: 1st ODI – WACA Ground, Perth

Sunday, February 3: 2nd ODI – WACA Ground, Perth

Wednesday, February 6: 3rd ODI – Manuka Oval, Canberra

Friday, February 8: 4th ODI – SCG, Sydney

Sunday, February 10: 5th ODI – MCG, Melbourne

Wednesday, February 13: T20I – Gabba, Brisbane