Cricket: Chris Gayle overlooked again for Test series

Melton Walker, Gleaner Writer



Jamaican opener Chris Gayle was overlooked for the West Indies Test side that will face hosts India in three Tests this month.



This follows the decision of the regional selection panel to persist with the same 15-member squad that is currently engaged in Bangladesh.



Lendl Simmons will return home to nurse his back injury.



Gayle has been sidelined following his dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over his controversial comments on a Jamaican radio station last May.



The WICB has demanded an apology from Gayle for his remarks, but the opener refused, requesting to know what he should apologise for.



As a result, the West Indies will persist with the young pair of teenager Kraigg Brathwaite and left-hander Kieran Powell with Adrian Barath considered fit enough to make the trip over the border.



There are two Jamaicans in the Darren Sammy-led squad. The Jamaicans are Marlon Samuels and Carlton Baugh.



The remaining members of the squad are: Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford.



West Indies leave Bangladesh Thursday for India. The first Test starts next Monday in Delhi.



Matches in Kolkata and Mumbai follow with a series of five One-day Internationals bringing the trip to a close.



melton.walker@gleanerjm.com