Gayle, Samuels return to Windies squad for England ODIs

TIL Desk Sports/ There was some rare good news for West Indies cricket when Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels were included in the one-day squad for next month’s series against England on Monday.

Batsman Gayle, one of the biggest drawcards in world cricket, has not represented West Indies since the 2015 World Cup, while Samuels has been absent for a year because of a dispute with the board.

After 15 months on the sidelines, Gayle was recalled in the T20 squad for the lone T20I against India last month. Neither plays for a Test side whose much-mourned decline in fortunes was much in evidence during the innings and 209-run defeat at the hands of England at Edgbaston last week.

Sunil Narine, and Dwayne and Darren Bravo all made themselves unavailable for the five-match ODI series, which begins in Manchester on September 19 and concludes in Southampton on September 29.

“The panel welcomes back Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who will both add value to our batting and help with the nurturing of the young batsmen in the team,” CWI chief selector Courtney Browne said in a statement.