New faces in West Indies T20 team want to prove themselves

Danza Hyatt, Krishmar Santokie, Ashley Nurse and Christopher Barnwell were last week named in the 13-man squad to face Pakistan in the Digicel T20 International.

Santokie, the 26-year-old left-arm seamer from Jamaica, has been the most outstanding bowler in the two seasons of the Caribbean Twenty20. When he got the call, there was great joy among all the members of his family.

"It was father's (Headley) dream to see my wear the West Indies colours. When I got the news, I was really thrilled but my father seemed to be more excited. I could see the joy on his face. He was happy for me,” Santokie said.

“My aim is make the most of the opportunity. I have done well for Jamaica in the Caribbean T20 and I’m looking to take that form into the series against Pakistan. It's just a matter of making the adjustment to the higher level."

Nurse, a well-built off-spinner, has been Barbados’ best bowler in the domestic T20. He was excellent with the ball for West Indies A against Pakistan A last year.

“If I get an opportunity to play, I will be looking to have a positive impact on the game,” Nurse said.

Barnwell is an allrounder who has opened the batting for Guyana and also bowled with the new ball. He was a key member of the team which won the inaugural Caribbean T20 and represented the region at the Airtel Champions League.

“Being an allrounder, I can have an influence on the game in several ways,” Barnwell said.

“This opportunity is a chance to learn more as I’m always looking for knowledge and aiming to improve my game,” he said.

Hyatt is a right-handed opener. He has been a member of the Jamaica team for seven seasons and was the leading batsman for West Indies A against Pakistan A in the T20 series last year.

“I know I will have to make the adjustment when I play at the senior level,” Hyatt said.
“I will look to be positive and play my natural game and do the things that have helped me to reach this level,” Hyatt said.

The West Indies squad for Digicel T20 International: Darren Sammy (Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons.