BRIDGETOWN: West Indies selectors have rested opening batsman Chris Gayle from the back-to-back T20 Internationals against New Zealand on July 5 and 6 at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Despite playing in all three Tests of the series against the Black Caps, the 34-year-old has been troubled by a back injury and continues to receive treatment.

Experienced all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was also unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League T20 tournament in April.

Darren Sammy, who led the West Indies to the World T20 title in 2012 and the semi-finals in defence of the crown in March in Bangladesh, will captain the 13-man squad.

Squad:

Darren Sammy (captain), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Andre Fletcher, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Christopher Barnwell, Denesh Ramdin, Krishmar Santokie, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Samuel Badree.

Published in Dawn, July 1st , 2014