Windies turn to spin for England Test

West Indies have named two frontline spinners in their 14-man squad for the first Test against England in Antigua, starting on Monday.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo has been included for the first time since the most recent of his 11 Tests three years ago, while left-arm orthodox spinner Sulieman Benn is also in the squad.

"I am so happy," Bishoo told WICB Media.

"For the last few years, this is the best thing that happened for me so far.

"I am here and I don’t have to words to describe what it means to me to be back with the boys."

Bishoo took six wickets in a West Indies practice match earlier this week and finished with 61 wickets in 10 matches as his Guyana side won the domestic four-day competition this season.

The 29-year-old has taken 40 wickets at just under 40 in 11 Tests, the last of which came against Australia in Barbados in 2012.

"Over the years I was struggling a little bit ... I made one or two adjustments to my bowling action because I realised when things are not going your way, you start to get tired and your body has to compensate to make up for whatever you are not doing right," Bishoo said.

"I changed one or two things but I am more comfortable now and everything is going well and I am happy.

"I think I get a little smarter with my bowling and I am more confident now and by far this is my best first-class season ever and as I said hard work pays off."

The three-Test series against England will be the first under new West Indies coach and former Ireland mentor Phil Simmons.

"We have a new coach and we have to give him as much help as possible," said Convenor of Selectors Clive Lloyd.

"He is a very positive guy, he has been successful and he is one of us.

"We had a good chat after he was appointed and we have spent the last few days in further discussions about a number of things, so we are looking forward to see how it all works out."

Highly-rated 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope and fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite are the two uncapped players in the squad.

WEST INDIES TEST SQUAD
Denesh Ramdin (c), Kraigg Brathwaite (vc), Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor