The West Indies, led for the first time by 26 year old batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, includes most of the senior players who were part of the West Indies disappointing showing in the World Cup at home, despite their poor performances.
Marlon Samuels, the right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, was the major omission from the World Cup squad. There was no room for a specialist spinner with five fast bowlers chosen."We feel that (it is wrong) to totally change and go that route at this stage," convenor of selectors Gordon Greenidge said. "We wish to actually still compete credibly rather than just go through what one might consider the rebuilding process.
"Some may say, 'Well, you're going to lose anyway,' but we don't feel (change is) the method because that could also be a downtrend of what we're trying to achieve here.
"We don't want to have players totally out of their depths. We want to know that we can still compete even if we do not win the series, at least give a good account of ourselves."
David Moore replaced Bennett King as coach, after King resigned following the World Cup. Moore, another Australian, was King's assistant and recommended by King.
Sarwan will lean on long-serving left-handers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle and improving opener Daren Ganga to help prop up the batting.
Devon Smith, Sylvester Joseph and Runako Morton, for so long fringe players, have been given chances to establish a permanent place in the batting line-up now that Lara, who turned 38 on yesterday, has retired.
Dwayne Bravo is the incumbent all-rounder while Darren Sammy, of similar ilk, has earned a recall after sound regional performances. Denesh Ramdin retains the wicket-keeper's position. Daren Powell, Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor remain the leading trio while Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul complete the pace line-up.
The 22-year-old Rampaul returns to the side for the first time since injuries halted his international career on the West Indies' last tour of the United Kingdom three years ago.
