ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

West Indies have stuck to their guns and have announced a 15-member squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy bereft of their leading players.

In the latest twist to the contract-dispute saga that has crippled the game in the region over the last six weeks, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has not named any of the dissenting players that withdrew from the recent home series against Bangladesh.

This has occurred against the backdrop that the WICB and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) are currently in mediation under the stewardship of Sir Shridath Ramphal.

Deliberations

The former Commonwealth secretary general had made it clear the ongoing deliberations between the two sides in no way affected the obligation of the WICB to select the best available team for the Champions Trophy.

But Joel Garner, a senior director of the WICB, said that the governing body had to show some loyalty to the players that formed the so-called 'makeshift' side that lost the two Tests and three One-day Internationals (ODIs) against the Bangladeshis.

"I do not think that we have asked the players that are playing cricket for West Indies to take up a gun and go to war, or anything like that," he said in a wide-ranging interview on CBC Radio. "It is a case of national duty and representing the region, and I think that is an honour."

Garner added: "I think the time has come when (the WICB) has to draw the line and try to get the players to understand that there is a sacrifice that has to be made. We can't keep doing things business as usual. We have to look to see how best we can improve West Indies cricket.

"I think you have to reward the people that have been loyal to you and at the end of the day, they withdrew their services."

As a result of the WICB's hard-line stance, Floyd Reifer has retained the position of captain, with Darren Sammy again his deputy for the competition taking place in South Africa from Tuesday, September 22 to Monday, October 5.

The surprising choice in the squad is fast bowler Daren Powell. He had reportedly turned down the chance to play during the Bangladesh series, but he has been chosen in the 30-member shortlist of players for the Champions Trophy.

Equally, the choice of rookie batsman Royston Crandon is quite puzzling, since he has never distinguished himself in the regional competition.

Chadwick Walton is the preferred choice to keep wicket. His glovework in the two Tests against Bangladesh was unquestionable, but he will have to show a far more level head with the bat if he wants to take ownership of the position.

There are three omissions from the squad that played the ODIs against the Tigers - wicketkeeper/batsman Devon Thomas, fast bowler Nelon Pascal and leg-spinner Rawl Lewis, who was not included in the shortlist.

West Indies have been drawn in Group A of the competition along with reigning Champions Trophy and World Cup champions Australia, India, and Pakistan.

Squad: Floyd Reifer (captain), Darren Sammy (vice captain), David Bernard, Tino Best, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Daren Powell, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton.