All-rounders Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine failed to make the cut as West Indies announced their 15-man squad for the World Cup on Wednesday with Jason Holder set to lead the team for the tournament in England and Wales. Hard-hitting opening batsman Chris Gayle, 39, was called up for what will be his fifth World Cup as was all-rounder Andre Russell, who is currently averaging 65 in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). "He's scored a lot of runs and we'll be using him as a batting all-rounder," coach Floyd Reifer said of Russell. "He's doing very well in the IPL. We've got to manage his injuries and have three to four days rest between the games." Pollard and Narine, who have not been part of the ODI setup since 2016, have played 166 ODIs between them but were both overlooked by an interim selection panel which comprised of Robert Haynes, Jimmy Adams and coach Reifer. "The selection panel looked at the skill set of the players and the combinations," Haynes said. "We've looked at the wickets that have been used in England in the past, players fitness and their urge to represent West Indies. "We came up with a balanced team who will represent West Indies in England." Evin Lewis, who missed the recent England series with an injury, was also named in the squad. There was also a return for fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who last played in 2017, alongside other quicks Kemar Roach and the relatively inexperienced Oshane Thomas. Fabian Allen and Ashley Nurse will be on spin duty while Nicholas Pooran is set to compete with Shai Hope for the wicketkeeper's spot. West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979, start their World Cup campaign on May 31 when they take on Pakistan in Nottingham. Narine rues missed World Cup opportunity Narine has still not given up hope of a return to international cricket after missing out on a spot in West Indies' World Cup squad due to injury, the spinner has said. The 30-year-old, who last played an One-Day International in 2016, had come into consideration under the new selection policy of cricket West Indies (CWI) but missed out due to a finger injury on his right hand. "I would have loved to play in the World Cup," Narine, who is currently playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, told ESPNcricinfo. "I've missed international cricket and missed representing the West Indies. It's where my heart lies. But I don't feel my finger is quite ready for ODI cricket. "I can get through a T20 where I bowl just four overs. But even that isn't easy and I need help from the physio. It's holding me back from playing international cricket. I wouldn't be able to do myself or the team justice." New CWI president Ricky Skerritt had earlier this month announced a series of administrative changes including an overhaul of the selection panel, with Robert Haynes replacing Courtney Browne as interim head of selectors. As part of the old selection policy, availability for domestic tournaments was a requirement to be picked for West Indies squads, but Skerritt said selectors would be allowed to pick all players who make themselves available. "I'm really happy the selectors considered me. It shows they have faith in me," Narine added. "I haven't played international cricket in so long and this shows how much they want me to come back. It was good to have some conversations with them and I feel we're all on the same page going forward." Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wicketkeeper), Nicholas Pooran (wicketkeeper), Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Shannon Gabriel, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell. — Reuters
