Brian Lara (captain)
Many regard Lara as the best batsman in the world after his record-breaking 400 not out against England in the Caribbean in April. On his day he can take apart any bowling attack with shots all round the wicket. Possessing a brilliant eye for the ball, he is a reliable slip fielder and has impressed with his leadership skills during his second stint in charge of West Indies. Lara averages 42 in one-day internationals and over 50 in Tests. He also established a new record (28) for the most runs in an over in Test cricket during the series against South Africa.

Chris Gayle
The Jamaican left-hander has cemented his position at the top of the order for West Indies in both one-day and Test cricket in recent years. Immensely strong through the covers on both front and back feet, he likes to take the initiative away from opposing opening bowlers. He can boast a 79-ball Test century at Cape Town in January 2004 against South Africa. His economical off spin has developed into a crucial part of the West Indies bowling attack and he can be regarded as a genuine all-rounder.

Devon Smith
The left-handed batsman from the Windward Islands came to prominence with his century in the first Test against England in March. Injury ruled him out from the last two Tests of the series but he returned against Bangladesh. This will be his first chance to represent West Indies abroad but he has previously played four one-day internationals with a top score of 39 not out.

Ramnaresh Sarwan
The tour vice-captain and attacking middle-order batsman, Sarwan took 27 matches to record his first Test century but is now established in the one-day and Test teams. Has improved his technique against the short ball in recent times. Stood in for Lara as captain during the recent one-day series whitewash over Bangladesh and seen by many as the heir apparent to the captaincy. He also bowls useful leg spin while, with the bat, he averaged 108 in the recent one-day series with England in the Caribbean with a top score of 104 not out.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul
The unorthodox left-hander has played in 137 one-day internationals and has become a fixture in both one-day and Test squads. Chanderpaul loves batting and has assumed the anchor role many times for the West Indies as the more flamboyant batsmen play around him. Can be relied upon to grit it out in tricky batting conditions and also bowls leg spin.

Ricardo Powell
An attacking right-handed batsman who is regarded as a one-day specialist, although he made his Test debut in 1999 and gained his second Test cap against England this year. Represents Trinidad & Tobago after moving from his native Jamaica to be with his wife. It was his second first-class century for his adoptive team against Barbados in the 2004 Carib Beer Cup that brought him back into international consideration. An excellent fielder both in close and in the outfield, also bowls off spin.

Dwayne Smith
Smith blasted onto the international scene with a quick-fire century on his Test debut against South Africa. Called up to replace the injured Marlon Samuels, he hit the fastest-ever Test century on debut. An attacking middle-order batsman, he contributed a responsible century for Barbados in their Carib Beer International semi-final against Guyana this year and hit his maiden one-day 50 against Bangladesh. He is an excellent fielder and useful medium-pace bowler who can also keep wicket.

Dwayne Bravo
Made his one-day international debut against England in Guyana earlier this year after featuring in the West Indies squad for the 2002 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. A right-handed opening batsman and right-arm medium pacer, he is one of the players that the West Indies management will look to nurture for the 2007 World Cup. One of the 17 players in the second batch of entrants to the Sir Frank Worrell Development Cricket Centre for the period 2003/2004.

Darren Sammy
Sammy is the only newcomer to the West Indies squad of 15 for the NatWest Series. The all-rounder was in the West Indian Under 19 team for the 2001 World Cup in New Zealand when his side reached the semi-finals. Recently he has been playing for the MCC, with whom he toured Sri Lanka. He has the chance to become St Lucia's first international cricketer after being named his island's Sportsman of the Year in 2003. Sammy was the fourth highest run scorer for Windward Islands in this year's Carib Beer Series with 261 runs and his 22 wickets were the second highest for the sub-regional team and 10th highest in the championship.

Ridley Jacobs
Had to wait until he was 31 before being chosen for Test cricket on the 1998/99 tour of South Africa but has been an almost ever present since in both forms of the game. He shares the record for the most dismissals in an innings in Test and one-day cricket and is regarded as a highly-skilled no-thrills wicket-keeper. A brave left-handed bat who makes regular useful runs with his ferocious hitting. Jacobs led the West Indies to a series victory against Bangladesh in 2002.

Carlton Baugh
In 2002 Baugh, playing for a Guyana Board XI against the touring Australians, was undaunted by the bowling of Stuart MacGill and took 16 runs from one over. In the second innings he continued to impress with an innings of 115 and almost led his side to victory. He will be the reserve wicket-keeper to Ridley Jacobs on this trip. He made his Test debut against the Australians in 2002/3 and has played in three Tests to date with a top score of 24. In first-class cricket he has played in 25 matches and scored 1,425 runs with a best of 158 not out.

Ian Bradshaw
A left-arm medium-pace bowler, Bradshaw was called up for the one-day squad against South Africa in 2003-4. He made his debut for Barbados in 1998 and is fast approaching 100 wickets. A former Young Barbados and Young West Indies captain, he graduated from the West Indies youth championships in 1993, when he led the Young Windies to England.

Ravi Rampaul
In 2000 Rampaul was a member of the West Indies youth team which won the Under-15 World Challenge in England and is known for his fast direct bowling which claims many of his victims bowled or lbw. He is a left-handed batsman who can contribute vital runs. This series could be his big chance for a breakthrough at this level.

Tino Best
Best regularly bowls his right-arm deliveries above the 90mph and can make the best of batsmen hurry. Added to his aggressive nature he will be looking to consolidate his reputation during this series. Came to the selectors’ attention after being the leading bowler in the 2003 Carib Beer Series with 39 scalps. Was the leading West Indian bowler in the recent Test series against England with 12 wickets.

Jermaine Lawson
A replacement for the hamstrung Fidel Edwards. The right-arm fast bowler hit the international scene in dramatic fashion with six wickets against Bangladesh in his third Test. A hat-trick against Australia soon followed but since he has worked hard to eradicate problems with his bowling action. Lawson will regard this summer as a great chance to relaunch his international career.