Kieran Powell

Batsman Shai Hope was recalled to the West Indies squad for the first Test against South Africa on Tuesday while teenage fast bowler Jayden Seales is poised to make his debut.

The spotlight will be on Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan when India 'A' take on a confident West Indies 'A' in the third and final 'Test'.

India cruised to victory with 47 balls to spare as the hosts made a positive start to the five-match ODI series against the touring West Indies team. Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 152 and completed the chase with Ambati Rayudu, who scored 22 not out.

The struggling West Indies were dealt another blow on Wednesday with opener Evin Lewis pulling out of the limited overs leg of the India tour, citing personal reasons.

West Indies 'A' fast bowler Kevin McCLean grabbed a five-for to guide the hosts to a series clinching 10-wicket victory over India 'A' in the third match.

India A captain Yuvraj Singh on Tuesday attributed lack of partnerships and good bowling show from the West Indies A for his team's loss in the second unofficial ODI at Chinnaswamy stadium.

Marlon Samuels was named West Indies Cricketer of the Year at the inaugural awards ceremony, which was jointly hosted by the WICB and the WIPA.

Young Trinidad and Tobago pacer Jayden Seales has been named in the West Indies' 17-member provisional squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa, starting here on Thursday.

There was a rather funny moment in the fourth ODI of the ongoing five-match series between India and West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

Ashok Dinda helped India 'A' draw the two-match T20 series against the West Indies 'A' by winning the second and final game in the one-over eliminator.

If Kieran Powell's West Indies 'A' believe that they are in with a chance to win the three-match ODI series against India 'A', then the optimism is not misplaced.

South Africa will hand a debut to middle-order batsman Keegan Petersen as they seek solutions to a brittle top six line-up in the first Test of a two-match series against West Indies in Saint Lucia on Thursday. The tourists have a dominant record against their hosts, who have won only three of their previous 28 matches, though recent Tests have been rare with this only the second series in a decade.

Powell said Kirk Edwards played a crucial role. "Edwards gave himself a chance and played deep into the innings. That is what the team needed and he got it," he said.

West Indies A rode on Kirk Edwards' run-a-ball ton to beat the home team by 45 runs in the third and decisive unofficial ODI at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Their confidence on high after the comprehensive win in the opener, India A would look to seal the unofficial ODI series against West Indies A in the second game.

Powered by Jonathan Carter's brilliant all-round show, West Indies A comfortably defeated India A by 55 runs in second unofficial 'ODI' at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Rahul Sharma attributed his five-wicket haul against West Indies 'A' in the T20 match to the tips he had received from Anil Kumble and Narendra Hirwani.

Led by an in-form Cheteshwar Pujara, India A would eye revenge for the ODI series loss when they take on a confident West Indies A in the three-Test series.

Powell's fifty along with spinners Permaul and Miller's magical spell, tightened the West Indies A grip over India A on the third day of the first unofficial Test.

A patient 82 by opener Kraigg Brathwaite helped West Indies A reach a decent 283/6 in 90 overs on Day 1 after opting to bat in second unofficial four day 'Test'.

Zaheer Khan snuffed out the prize wicket of in-form Kraigg Brathwaite early before West Indies 'A' steadied the ship on the opening day of the third unofficial Test.

India A conceded a slender 47-run first-innings lead to the West Indies A despite a fighting half-century by Uday Kaul on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test.

Brathwaite smashed a brilliant ton while Narasingh Deonaraine cracked 93 as second unofficial Test between India 'A' and West Indies 'A' ended in a draw.

India A's bowling woes were once again exposed as a hundred by Kirk Edwards guided West Indies A to a mammoth 312/9 in the unofficial ODI series-decider.

Kieran Powell smashed an unbeaten century to steady the WI innings to Indies 228-3 at tea Tuesday on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh.

Having made peace with the West Indies Cricket Board, explosive batsman Chris Gayle returned to the country's Test side after more than 18 months.

Quinton de Kock led a resolute effort as South Africa lost just one wicket in advancing to 205 for five, a lead of 108 runs, at lunch on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies in St Lucia on Friday. Having struggled in his previous four Test matches with the burden of captaincy, De Kock seemed more at ease without that responsibility in reaching 44 not out at the interval.

India 'A' opener Baba Aparajith said losing his wicket before the batting powerplay led to the hosts' 45-run defeat in the third unofficial ODI against the West Indies 'A' on Thursday.

All eyes will be on Yuvraj, who is leading the India 'A' one-day side, as India discards and other aspirants get another opportunity to showcase their talent.

A dogged 74-run unbeaten partnership between opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Assad Fudadin helped West Indies A reach 173/3 at tea on the first day.