West Indies squad - Investec Test series 2012

Darren Sammy (captain)
A surprise selection as captain in 2010, Sammy continues to confound critics by energising his young side while putting in impressive individual performances. He gave England an illustration of his ability by taking 7-66 on debut at Old Trafford in 2007 and has improved considerably in all areas; his canny seam bowling, which rarely goes for runs, is in stark contrast to his flamboyant batsmanship.

Kirk Edwards
A muscular batsman who thrives through the on side, Edwards has enjoyed a sensational start in Test cricket having struck two centuries and four fifties in seven matches. In the recent series against Australia, the right-hander hit a half-century in the opening encounter, only to miss the next two through injury.

Adrian Barath
An undoubted talent, opening batsman Barath has failed to live up to the promise he showed when scoring a century on debut against Australia in 2009. Injuries have hampered his progress, but Barath will have to rein in his natural attacking instincts if he is to get back on track against James Anderson and co.

Darren Bravo
To watch Bravo, it is clear why he is frequently compared to cousin Brian Lara. Possessing an identical stance, backlift and flourish when driving, Darren - the half-brother of all-rounder Dwayne - even displays the same mannerisms. The similarity does not end there; Bravo has started outstandingly in Test cricket and looks set for an fine career at the highest level. The left-hander briefly gained exposure to English conditions while at Nottinghamshire last year.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul
A man to whom England bowlers will need no introduction, Chanderpaul recently became just the second West Indies batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs. The left-hander holds the key to his side’s hopes and begins the tour in outstanding form, having struck 346 runs at an average of 86.50 in the recent Australia series to go top of the Test rankings.

Narsingh Deonarine
A Guyanese left-handed batsman who bowls impressive left-arm spin, Deonarine returned to the fold versus Australia. He will be determined to impress with the bat after his most telling contributions came with the ball in that rubber, which Michael Clarke's side won 2-0.

Fidel Edwards
A slingy seamer capable of bowling at extreme pace, Edwards - who will likely compete with Ravi Rampaul for a place in the XI - has never really fulfilled his seemingly vast potential. On his day, though, the 30-year-old is a destructive force - a trait that will ensure England’s batsmen do not rest on their laurels.

Assad Fudadin
Untested at the highest level, batsman Fudadin has enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular, career in first-class cricket.

Shannon Gabriel
Another rookie, Gabriel is a young fast bowler who has been likened to Ian Bishop. After impressing for Trinidad in domestic cricket, he earned a first call-up to the Windies squad for this series. He played in the Lord's Test but was ruled out of the rest of the series by a back injury.

Kieran Powell
Powell is likely to be utilised as an opening batsman against England after Kraigg Brathwaite was left out of the squad. The left-hander has shown brief flashes of quality in his short career and, given he is just 22 years old, is likely to improve.

Kemar Roach
Roach’s early performances in Tests quickly saw him become the latest West Indies fast bowler to be compared to the greats of yesteryear. He appeared to have fallen away in 2011, playing just four Tests, but has enjoyed a recent resurgence, re-establishing himself as West Indies’ premier paceman. Roach took 19 wickets against Australia at an outstanding average of just 19.73 and played in the first two Investec Tests, but was ruled out of the series after the second by a shin injury.

Denesh Ramdin
Recalled in place of Carlton Baugh, wicketkeeper-batsman Ramdin has played 42 Tests but is still yet to make the impact that was expected when he debuted at 20. Excellent behind the stumps, his experience of English conditions - likely the most difficult a gloveman faces - will prove invaluable.

Ravi Rampaul
An accurate swing bowler who is capable of useful contributions down the order, Rampaul established himself as the leader of West Indies’ attack before illness struck this year. He returned to the fold for the final Test against Australia and will likely relish English conditions if given an opportunity.

Marlon Samuels
Back in the fold after missing the Australia series while on Indian Premier League duty, Samuels will add some much-needed experience to a youthful West Indies batting line-up. Primarily a batsman, the 31-year-old is also a handy off-spinner.

Shane Shillingford
A tall off-spinner capable of extracting prodigious turn and bounce, Shillingford returned to Test cricket in style after undergoing remedial work on an illegal action; he took 14 wickets in two matches against Australia at an impressive average of just 26.14.

Tino Best
The fast bowler replaced the injured Shannon Gabriel between the first and second Tests, having not represented West Indies in first-class cricket since 2009 when he filled in versus Bangladesh during a mass player walkout. Although 28 Test wickets at an average of 48.67 does not reflect well, 13 of those were against England at 32.37.

Sunil Narine
The off-spinner, who has a variety of deliveries, joined the squad between the second and third Tests in place of the injured Kemar Roach. Uncapped in Tests but with eight one-day and two Twenty20 internationals to his name, Narine initially opted out of the Investec series by signing for Kolkata Knight Riders whom he helped win the Indian Premier League with 24 wickets in 15 games.