CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET) ----------------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Wednesday January 10,2007 TANTEEN, St. George - Windward Island players, opening batsman Devon Smith and all-rounder Darren Sammy, and newcomer Ryad Emrit from Trinidad and Tobago have been included in a 14-man squad announced by the West Indies for a series of one-day matches against India later in the month. Smith and Sammy, who received the news while on duties with the Windward Islands in their first-round regional Carib Beer Series match against Guyana in St George’s, expressed delight at their selection. “I am happy; but a bit surprised”, Smith told reporters. ‘Surprised because I am not normally considered for one day cricket,” Smith said. He is nonetheless hoping to be among the leading players in the up coming series in India. The Windwards opener is keen to turn in some fine performances to impress the selectors for the ICC Cricket World Cup starting in March. Smith, who has not played for the West Indies for almost a year wants to become a regular or possibly permanent member of the regional team at both the test and one-day levels. “I am hoping that consistent performances when given the chance will do just that”, the stylish left-hander said. He was among the leading batsmen in the recent three-match test series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka A teams, scoring a century and two half centuries to help the West Indies to victory. His Windwards’ teammate, Darren Sammy, is also looking to cash-in on the big opportunity. Sammy last played for the West Indies more than two years ago in the ICC Trophy Championship in England, which the regional team won. “I have been working hard, trying to improve my game. I have come a long way. My game is much better now. I will be making a concerted effort to be more consistent”, the classy all-rounder said. Like Smith, he is keen to play in the World cup and become a permanent fixture on the West Indies team. Sammy was definitely among the leading players in the series against Sri Lanka A, grabbing 9 wickets in the three test matches. He also batted very impressively in the one-dayers scoring 80 and 48 runs with the bat and capturing five wickets in the two matches he played. “My game is certainly on the up”, he said. Emrit is also an all-rounder. He scored a century and was among the wickets in the competition last year for Trinidad and Tobago. The full squad is: Brian Lara Captain, Christopher Gail, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuel, Renako Morton, Lendyl Symmonds, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Darren Powel, Danesh Ramdeen, Jerome Taylor, Ian Bradshaw and Ryad Emrit. The games are scheduled for January 21, 23, 27 and 30. The players are expected back home in time for the fifth and final round of the 2007 Carib Beer Series at the start of next month.