Badree gets nod ahead of Benn in Windies squad

St. John's (Antigua) - Uncapped leg-spinner Samuel Badree has been called up ahead of Sulieman Benn for the West Indies' two-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand which bowls off next week at Florida in the United States.

The 31-year-old Trinidadian, who has played 40 Twenty20s for Trinidad and Tobago, is the only new face in the largely predictable squad.

A 10-year veteran of regional cricket, Badree took eight wickets at an average of 11.87 and an economy rate 4.31 during Trinidad and Tobago's successful campaign in the Caribbean T20 this year.

He was called up for the West Indies A team doubleheader in Trinidad this weekend, taking one for 20 from four overs in the first contest at Queen's Park Oval Saturday night.

"Badree has been a consistent performer in regional tournaments over a period of time and the selectors felt it was the right time to introduce him to the team," said chief selector Clyde Butts.

Badree gets the nod ahead of the more experienced left-arm spinner Benn who was recalled to Windies colours for the first time in 15 months, for the A-team's T20 doubleheader.

Benn took three for 24 and clubbed two sixes in the last over to earn the West Indies A an unlikely come-from-behind three-wicket victory, with two balls to spare.

There is no room for all-rounder Andre Russell who was part of the squad for the T20 against England on Sunday.

As expected, the unit is led by Darren Sammy and comprises Indian Premier League stars Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine.

"The team is well-balanced and has been selected with the Twenty20 World Cup in mind," Butts noted.

"Looking at the team, we expect this side to do very well against New Zealand, as our preparation for the World Cup continues."

The two T20s will be played next Saturday and Sunday at Central Broward Stadium.

Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.