BBC SPORT | Cricket | Windies hopes rest on youth

With Brian Lara recovering from illness, BBC Sport Online takes a look at six young West Indian batsmen hoping to fill his shoes on the tour to India.

Chris Gayle

Now a veteran of 23 Tests, the exciting left-handed opener built a reputation for exciting batting, but a lack of concentration that led to needless dismissals.

His part in a Caribbean record opening partnership for Jamaica in 2001, an unbroken stand of 425 with Leon Garrick, gave a hint of his capabilities.

Feature: Gayle's growing reputation

And his maiden Test double century against New Zealand at the end of June has completed his rehabilitation.

But he remains a brutal striker of the ball, dealing mainly in boundaries.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Although he is still only 22, and preparing for his 25th Test, West Indies fans have been left waiting for Sarwan to make more of his obvious talent.

Ramnaresh Sarwan
Sarwan has yet to hit a Test ton
The Guyanese batsman has 13 half-centuries at Test level, but has yet to reach three figures, his closest chance when he was run out for 91 against South Africa 18 months ago.

Sarwan's poise against spin could be vital against India, though.

He was one of the few players to emerge with credit from last year's Test whitewash in Sri Lanka, 318 runs coming at an average of 53.00.

Wavell Hinds

Another batsman with 24 Test caps, Hinds also has a rollercoaster career record, but his highs have been extremely impressive, including a score of 165 in his fourth Test.

West Indies squad

C Hooper (capt), G Breese, S Chanderpaul, P Collins, C Cuffy, M Dillon, C Gayle, R Hinds, W Hinds, R Jacobs, D Ganga, J Lawson, M Nagamootoo, D Powell, M Samuels, R Sarwan

The Jamaican is bound to have confidence going into the series with India, after two centuries against the tourists in May.

And he has experience of Indian conditions after a successful A-team tour in 1998.

But a poor series against New Zealand put his Test place in doubt once more.

And question-marks have been raised over his defensive technique and temperament, especially when facing barbed comments on top of a bowling barrage.

Daren Ganga

The 23-year-old was drafted in as a late replacement for Lara and has been used in the past as a patient foil for Gayle at the top of the order, with limited success.

Australian Andy Bichel dismisses Ganga
Ganga has not impressed so far is Tests
He captained West Indies A on their recent tours of England, leading the averages with 325 runs at 54.16.

But in 15 appearances so far, he has made 563 runs at an average of only 20.85 and has not been picked since the series against Pakistan in Sharjah in March.

Ryan Hinds

The Barbados vice-captain has been identified as the all-rounder that West Indies have been waiting for, but so far his slow left-arm has taken a back seat.

In two Tests against Pakistan in spin-friendly Sharjah, the left-hander made scores of 62 and 46,

But he missed out on the India series which followed as Lara and Sarwan returned from injury.

Hinds was another batsman sent for extra experience with West Indies A in England, and the left-hander returned with a solid, if unspectacular, tour average of 41.28.

Gareth Breese

Yet to make his international debut, Breese appears to have been included in the touring party with an eye to the seven one-day internationals that follow the Test series.

A first-class batting average of 26.88 confirm his status more as a bowler who can bat - his off-spin has brought 99 wickets at 21.37 for Jamaica and West Indies A.


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