ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

PICKING A side for the first time since the retirement of Brian Lara, and the failed bid to win the first World Cup staged in the Caribbean, the West Indies selection committee resisted the urge to click the refresh button.

Gordon Greenidge, convenor of the West Indies selectors, admitted that choosing the 15-member squad for the four Tests in England was challenging, but they have decided to stick with some familiar faces.This meant that nine members of the World Cup squad have been retained, four others with modest Test records have been recalled, and a chance for two uncapped players to make their debuts.

"The task was not easy, especially given the fact that the performance the Caribbean expected from the recently concluded World Cup was not as successful as we all hoped," remarked Greenidge during a link-up with CMC's CaribVision TV, which was broadcast throughout the region on television and radio.

Rebuilding

"We are looking at a rebuilding situation as far as West Indies cricket is concerned, but in so doing, we feel that the variety and the changes perhaps were expected may not actually be reflected in the squad that we have chosen for the tour."

The selectors' cautious approach meant that Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga, Sylvester Joseph and Runako Morton have been recalled after missing out on World Cup selection.

It also rewarded Ravi Rampaul for a strong comeback season in the regional competition, and Darren Sammy for his consistency in regional and A team matches, but it overlooked the claims of Pedro Collins and Jermaine Lawson, two more members of 'the old guard'.

Headlines

Marlon Samuels headlines the list of four active players that took part in the World Cup who have missed out on the trip to England. The others are Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith.

"We are looking towards the future, and we are looking to rebuild, but we feel that it is wrong to totally change and go that route at this present stage," Greenidge said.

"Though going that way may have some validity, we feel that we still wish to compete creditably in England, rather than just go through what one might consider the rebuilding process.

"Some may say, 'Well, you're going to lose anyway', but we don't feel (change is) the method because that could also be a downtrend of what we're trying to achieve here.

"We don't want to have players totally out of their depths. We want to know that we can still compete even if we do not win the series, at least give a good account of ourselves.

"We have made some changes, and we feel we have the right mix, and we are hoping that this mix will start the ball rolling as far as the redevelopment or redefining of West Indies cricket for the future."

The West Indies are set to face England in Tests at Lord's (May 17-21), Headingley (May 25-29), Old Trafford (June 7-11), and the Riverside Ground (June 15-19).

A separate squad will be selected for the two Twenty Internationals, and the three one-day internationals that will follow.Squad: Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul,Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Sylvester Joseph, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.