Bravo opts out of West Indies´ World T20 squad

Darren Bravo has rejected the chance to represent West Indies at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, which starts in India next month.

Bravo was not part of the squad announced by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Sunday and his replacement is yet to be named.

The batsman was one of few stand-out players for the Windies during their recent tour of Australia but withdrew from selection for the biennial event, citing a desire to focus on the longer form of the game.

In naming the squad, WICB published the letter Bravo wrote to the board, which read:

“I’m very grateful and humbled for the opportunity to represent the West Indies Cricket Team at the World Cup. However, I’m of the firm belief that I have a very big part to play in the resurgence of West Indies cricket in the longer formats of the game and I [would] like the opportunity to play in our Professional Cricket League (PCL) because it will put me in good stead and will allow me to achieve those goals that I have aligned myself for the year 2016 and beyond.”

Off-spinner Sunil Narine and all-rounder Kieron Pollard have also withdrawn, opening the door for Ashley Nurse and Carlos Brathwaite to replace them.

Narine remains banned from international cricket after failing to correct his illegal action, while Pollard is still not fit after suffering a knee injury in November.

Darren Sammy was named as captain, while regulars Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels join him in the squad alongside big hitter Chris Gayle.

Gayle has scored 1406 runs in 45 T20 internationals and could play a key role for the Windies, who have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 10 alongside England, South Africa and Sri Lanka, with the fifth team yet to be decided.

The Windies are ranked number two in the world in the T20 format and won the tournament in 2012.