Marshall dropped for Antigua Test

KINGSTON // The West Indies selectors have dropped batsman Xavier Marshall from the squad for the second Test against England beginning in Antigua on Friday. Marshall, 22, was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening match at Sabina Park, which the West Indies won by an innings and 23 runs on Saturday. Ryan Hinds and Lendl Simmons, both prolific scorers in the current Caribbean domestic season, have been recalled. The left-hander Hinds, who played the most recent of his 10 Tests against Sri Lanka in Guyana last year, has amassed 585 runs in seven innings for Barbados at an average of 83.55.

His useful left-arm spin has also put him among the competition's leading wicket-takers. Simmons made 282 for the West Indies A team against England in St Kitts just over a week ago. The 24-year-old nephew of the former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, has played eight one-day internationals. Opening batsman Dale Richards and the off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, both in the squad for the Jamaica match without playing, were omitted for the second Test.

Chris Gayle (captain), Denesh Ramdin, Devon Smith, Lendl Simmons, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ryan Hinds, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Lionel Baker. * AP