Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite decline WICB contracts

West Indies T20 Skipper Carlos Brathwaite along with Test batsmen Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels has declined central contracts from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the WICB revealed. The trio has opted not to sign retainers for the period that ends in September 2017. WICB stated in an official release that the trio conveyed their decision to the selection panel, but the reason for the same has not been disclosed.

Brathwaite decision also means that he is set to take part in the Big Bash League. The giant Barbadian, who was the twelfth man in the recently concluded test series against Pakistan in UAE, quickly grabbed the eyeballs of the BBL franchises owners after he hit 4 consecutive sixes against England’s Ben Stokes to hand his side the World T20 title.

Meanwhile, the new list includes some young names who made headlines this year. 19-year-old fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has landed a central contract along with 22-year-old batsman Shai Hope and the 24-year-old left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. Joseph, a member of the West Indies Under-19 squad that captured the Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year, made his debut against India last August. He is currently a member of the Test squad on the Pakistan tour.

Hope, who debuted against England last year, has played seven Tests while Warrican has played four Tests, following a debut series against Sri Lanka last year. Wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin was the most notable players missing from the 12 man list, while fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Sheldon Cotrell, opener Rajendra Chandrika also did not make it.

Rumours also suggest that Samuels will soon hang up his boots in the Test format. Samuels is set to turn out in the BPL for Comilla Victorians this week. The central contracts for the men’s team ranges from USD 100,000 to 150,000 and includes 12 players on the list while the women’s team contracts, with a range of USD 12,000 to 30,000.

Retained players: Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican.