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14 The Independent. the Diaspora’s Multicultural Voice November 15 2017
Sports
Watling doubtful for Windies opener
Wicketkeeper BJ Watling is a doubt for New
Zealand's opening Test against West Indies due to a
hip injury with the uncapped Tom Blundell in line
for a debut if Watling is not available.
The problem has forced Watling to sit out the last
two rounds of Plunket Shield matches for Northern
Districts. He will play as a batsman only against
Auckland this week before what will effectively be
a fitness test against Otago at the end of the month
where he will have to keep wicket to be available
for the first Test in Wellington on December 1.
New Zealand squads
Test squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult,
Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham,
Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim
Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling
New Zealand A: Martin Guptill (capt), Todd
Astle, Tom Blundell, Neil Broom, Tom Bruce,
Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Adam Milne,
Colin Munro, Jeet Raval, George Worker
BJ Watling takes off the bails to remove Theunis de Bruyn
If Watling can't take his place at the Basin Re-
serve - it would be the first Test he has missed since Test cricket for the first time since March, although and Scott Kuggeleijn. Ferguson recently took a ca-
Headingley against England in 2013 - it would
one further player will be added to the party follow-
likely mean a first cap for 27-year-old Blundell ing the A side's fixture. Colin de Grandhomme has
ahead of handing the gloves to one-day keeper Tom retained his place as the seam-bowling allrounder
reer-best match haul of 12 for 78 against Otago.
Martin Guptill will captain the A side which also
includes incumbent Test opener Jeet Raval along-
Latham. Blundell has previously played one T20I while Matt Henry is the extra pace bowler behind side Colin Munro after his successful limited-overs
and has been included in the New Zealand A side the established trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and tour of India and legspinner Todd Astle who was
to face West Indies in their warm-up match from Neil Wagner.
November 25.
The cloud over Watling was the only uncertainty
West Indies could face a lively welcome to their
tour with the New Zealand A side including three
in a settled 12-man New Zealand squad, resuming rapid pacemen in Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson
Gayle disappointed
by IPL snub
Bravo brothers: snatched up at auction
MELBOURNE: West Indies opener Chris Gayle has admitted that he was surprised and disappointed
after being snubbed by franchises during the players’ auction of the Indian Premier League.
“I’m sure all those IPL franchises, everyone will know what I’m capable of. I didn’t have anything to
prove. It’s unfortunate things didn’t come off in the IPL, disappointed but at the same time you’ve got
to live life and still got to move on,” Gayle said. “It’s sad the way things go down but there’s nothing I
can do about it. Yeah I’m a bit surprised,” the West Indian was quoted as saying by the Australian As-
sociated Press.
In what turned out to be one of the major embarrassments in his chequered career, none of the 10
franchises bid for Gayle after both rounds of auctions that concluded in Bangalore on Sunday. He played
for the Kolkata Knight Riders during the previous two seasons.
The Carribean destroyer, however, added that he was overlooked by all 10 IPL franchises for the
fourth edition due to his international commitments.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo had no such issues as he was quickly picked up by the Darren
Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi while his brother Darren, a stylish left-hander, was nabbed by the Multan
Sultans. Darren's selection raised further speculation over his West Indies future, following his protracted
fall-out with Cricket West Indies which subsequently led to his non-selection for the international team.
Sultans also went for West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran while Quetta Gladiators moved once
again to pick up West Indies T20 captain, Carlos Brathwaite.
forced home from that trip with a groin strain.
"While the Blackcaps squad doesn't have too
many surprises, this NZ A team certainly shows that
we have depth and quality players who are pushing
for higher honours," selector Gavin Larsen said.
"Watching the three quickest bowlers in NZ op-
erating together will certainly be exciting, and all
three have plenty to play for. We are looking to de-
velop Martin's leadership capabilities and the NZ A
match is another good opportunity."