Simmons ... the only newcomer in the Test squad to Pakistan. - File

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

GORDON GREENIDGE, chairman of the West Indies selection panel, believes West Indies will do well in upcoming tours.

The former West Indies opening batsman was speaking earlier this week after the 15-member squad was unveiled for the three-Test series in Pakistan, starting next month.

"Whether we were going to Pakistan or anywhere else I expect the West Indies team to perform well," Greenidge said.

"The team is steady and the players are maturing. Maybe not at the rate many would hope, but we have a solid unit.

"The Champions Trophy will be a challenge, but the fact that we won it the last time means that we have an idea how to win. This is always a positive to take into any competition."

The only newcomer in the Test side to Pakistan is 21-year-old multi-dimensional player Lendl Simmons. He has been rewarded for consistent performances in regional competition and with the A team.

Concerns

Greenidge, however, has some concerns about several elements in the game.

Greenidge said he would have preferred if the five One-day Internationals the side will also play in Pakistan had come immediately after the Champions Trophy, rather than after the Tests.

"The way it has been worked out means that we will be going from Malaysia into the Champions Trophy and from there into a Test series," said Greenidge who played 108 Tests from 1974 to 1991.

Different approach

"It would have been better to get the ODIs in first and have the Tests after, but this will now require a different approach, and I hope the players can make the adjustment quickly.

"It is more difficult to move from ODIs into the five days, than it is to move from the five days into the ODIs.

"One of the keys on this trip will be to see the responses to situations. We keep getting into good situations, but are not always able to capitalise. This is a worrying factor, and it needs to be put right."

In Pakistan, West Indies play Tests at Lahore (November 11-15), Multan (November 19-23) and Karachi (November 27 to December 1). The team is currently in India preparing for their defence of the ICC Champions Trophy which opens on Saturday in Ahmedabad.

The team for the Champions Trophy is the same which reached the final of the DLF Cup in Malaysia last month.