Door open to Samuels

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC): Chairman of West Indies selectors Clyde Butts says the door is still open to Jamaican batsman Marlon Samuels, who recently ended a two-year playing ban.

In an interview here Friday, Butts said once the stylish Jamaican batsman returned to competitive cricket, he would be considered for selection to future West Indies squads.

"We all know Marlon Samuels can play cricket," Butts said.

"Certainly for a man who has been out of cricket for two years, you would allow him to play some cricket, develop his game again and get back into form and, of course, he will be available to West Indies then."

2008 ban

The 29-year-old Samuels was slapped with a ban in 2008 for breaching International Cricket Council rules relating to "receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute."

As a result, the right-hander has also missed two seasons of regional first-class cricket and the annual one-day competitions for Jamaica.