Batsman Marlon Samuels and fast bowler Jermaine Lawson have been named in a 16-member West Indies squad for the upcoming tour of India that begins on October 2.

Samuels, aged 22, made a return to cricket during Jamaica's domestic season following a knee operation last February and was one of the leading batsmen for his native Jamaica in this year's Red Stripe Bowl West Indies limited-overs competition.

During the West Indies' historic series against Pakistan in Sharjah, Samuels complained of pain in his left knee. After medical checks, it was revealed that a problem with the inner part of his knee bone had developed and he underwent surgery to correct it.

It meant Samuels, one of the bright prospects for West Indies cricket, missed the series against Pakistan, as well as the home series against India and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Lawson was gradually building a reputation for himself. He was a member of the squad that visited Sri Lanka last November, but fell out of favour.

He earned a place on the West Indies "A" Team's tour of Britain and Canada, where he was one of the leading bowlers for the side.

Tall and athletic, Lawson also played a major part in helping Jamaica reach the final of the Red Stripe Bowl before they were beaten by champions Barbados.

The rest of the squad comprises most of the players that faced the Indians and New Zealanders during the 2002 Cable & Wireless Series earlier this year except one. Fast bowler Adam Sanford has not found favour with the selection panel this time.

West Indies play three Tests at Mumbai (October 9 to 13), Chennai (October 17 to 21) and Kolkata (October 30 to November 3), as well as seven limited-overs internationals.

Earlier this year, West Indies prevailed over the Indians 2-1 in the best-of-five Cable & Wireless Wireless Test Series, but went down 1-2 in the rain-affected five-match Cable & Wireless Trophy limited-overs international series.

This will be West Indies' ninth tour of India, where they have only lost once on the 1978-79 visit when Sunil Gavaskar's side prevailed over Alvin Kallicharran's tourists.

Squad: Carl Hooper (captain), Gareth Breese, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Mervyn Dillon, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Brian Lara, Jermaine Lawson, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Darren Powell, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

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