Samuels joins touring party

/ Editor / 01 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Marlon Samuels has been called up to the West Indies Test squad to replace the injured Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Skipper Sarwan has returned home to the Caribbean after suffering a shoulder problem in the second Test defeat at Headingley, leaving the tourists short of batting options.

The selectors have decided that Samuels is the man to fill the void in the middle order, having been a surprise omission from the original squad.

The 26-year-old's Test record does not make great reading, with the Jamaican averaging 28 from 23 matches, but Samuels is hoping to become a regular in the side as he is in the one day set-up.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Daren Ganga will replace Sarwan as the Windies captain and he admits it is a 'very big challenge'.

Ganga revealed: "It's about my philosophies and the way I see things as a leader, but the coach and the management staff share the same vision and it's very important for us to work together as a team."
With their skipper missing, Betfair punters see the tourists as massive outsiders for the third Test at Old Trafford. The Windies are on offer at 17 to level the series in Manchester, with England trading at 1.61 and the draw is available at 3.05.