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The West Indies selectors have sent out a clear message with the inclusion of Neil McGarrell in the squad for the fourth Test starting at the Antigua Recreation Ground tomorrow. It is that they are seeking players who are capable in more than one speciality.

"We felt that if we decide when we get to Antigua to use two fast bowlers and two spinners, we had to get a spinner with experience who can bat," chairman of selectors Mike Findlay said yesterday.

"We've always been concerned with our batting and the bowlers now have to learn to bat and vice-versa," he said. "That's what's hitting us in that South Africa have three or four all-rounders, batsmen who can bowl and bowlers who can bat."

None of the four bowlers at the bottom of the West Indies order in the third Test averaged in batting double-figures. But Merv Dillon has improved to the extent that he has shared three half-century partnerships at No.9 and 10.

McGarrell, the 28-year-old orthodox left-arm spinner and right-handed batsman, had a batting average of 29.22 and took 32 wickets at 28.81 for Guyana in this season's Busta Series.

His six seasons of first-class cricket and five One-Day Internationals against England and South Africa two years ago has given him the experience which is lacking in Dave Mohammed, 21, the chinaman and googly specialist whom he replaced in the 13.

Mohammed was included in the squad for the third Test after three first-class matches in his debut season.

The selectors have used three fast bowlers and one spinner for the first three Tests, omitting Mohammed from the starting 11 for the third Test. Now it is likely that McGarrell will come in for Cameron Cuffy in Antigua where the pitch is expected to be dry and aid spin.

"Mohammed and (Dinanath) Ramnarine are wrist spinners and, as an orthodox spinner, McGarrell would be a little more accurate in terms of tying one end down and he can bat so he would lengthen the batting," Findlay explained.

He said he and coach Roger Harper had explained to Mohammed the reasons for his omission.

"We gave him the assurance that, although he hasn't played a Test, it's not that we have discarded him, Findlay said. "He's a talented cricketer with a unique bowling style and obviously has a bright future."

With McGarrell joining Ramnarine, Wavell Hinds would provide medium-pace relief for the two fast bowlers, Courtney Walsh and Merv Dillon.

Hinds has been used by new captain, Carl Hooper, for the first time in Test cricket and has claimed three useful wickets in the series. He and the other young batsmen in the team, Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, fulfil Findlay's advice and are useful change bowlers. Others are advised to follow their example.

© The Barbados Nation