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Smith called up for England clash
Devon Smith was one of the two changes for West Indies ahead of Tuesday's vital clash against England at Lord's.
Devon Smith was selected on Monday for his first match of the NatWest Series as the West Indies took the unusual step of naming their side ahead of schedule for Tuesday's vital clash against England at Lord's.
Smith, a 22-year-old left-handed batsman, was one of two changes to a side that suffered a five-wicket defeat against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs was passed fit after missing that match with a calf injury, reserve glove-man Carlton Baugh standing down, while fast bowler Jermaine Lawson was ruled out with flu.
Paceman Ravi Rampaul continued to be sidelined by shin problems.
Lawson's place was effectively taken by Smith, as West Indies altered the balance of their side.
All matches in the competition to date have been won by the side fielding first with top order batsmen struggling to cope with the assistance offered early in the day by English pitches.
Lawson has been opening the bowling but in Tino Best and Ian Bradshaw West Indies do have quicks capable of taking the new ball.
Lawson's overs could be filled by the likes of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle who, although primarily batsmen, can bowl spin.
Windward Isles batsman Smith will be appearing in only his fifth one-day international and is due to bat at number three.
West Indies captain Brian Lara, who opened for the first time in a one-dayer in nearly five years last time out, is set to stay at the top of the order after compiling a run-a-ball 58.
If England win Tuesday's match with a bonus point, West Indies will be out of the tournament.
But a five point victory for the hosts would still leave Lara's team with a chance of qualifying for the final if they beat New Zealand in Thursday's final group game at the Hampshire Rose Bowl.
West Indies:
Brian Lara (capt), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Ricardo Powell, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs (wkt), Ian Bradshaw, Tino Best.
