Windies opt for opener
Garrick for final Test

West Indies selectors drafted uncapped Jamaican opening batsman Leon Garrick straight into their eleven for the fifth Test against South Africa, starting at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Garrick's inclusion on Wednesday comes as the West Indies search for a Test win in a series in which South Africa hold an unassailable 2-0 lead.

"I spoke to the selectors today and we have brought in Garrick because he has shown the kind of form that is required," chairman of selectors Michael Findlay said on Wednesday.

"We brought him in this morning because he has had a good season, with big centuries in our regional competition. We were not under any pressure from anyone to include him."

The stocky right-hander, who also scored an unbeaten 174 in a two-day warm-up game against the South Africans over the Easter weekend, was named in the starting eleven in place of Wavell Hinds, who has struggled to find form in the series.

Garrick's inclusion is one of three changes to the team which lost the fourth Test in Antigua by 82 runs.

Batsman Marlon Samuels comes back into the side at the expense of Ramnaresh Sarwan, while paceman Cameron Cuffy is recalled after playing in the third Test in Barbados, with left-arm spinner Neil McGarrel standing down.

Mail Cricket Editor