port-of-spain, trinidad (cmc)

Former chairman of the West Indies selectors Joey Carew has defended the choice of an extra fast bowler instead of a spinner for the second Digicel Test against Sri Lanka currently under way at the Queen's Park Oval here.

The omission of hometown boy, off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth caused a fair amount of disenchantment among the local fans yesterday but Carew said that the preparation of the Oval track must have encouraged the selectors to go with the third fast bowler.

"The appearance of the pitch, which had a fair spread of grass must have encouraged the selectors to go with the third fast bowler, and with Dwayne Bravo in the side, they obviously expected some lateral movement," the former West Indies batsman said.

"This must be the reason why they omitted Amit Jaggernauth and Sulieman Benn from the final 11."

The 70-year-old Carew, who played 19 Tests scoring 1,127 runs, said he believed Jaggernauth would soon get a chance in the final 11.

"Surely Amit Jaggernauth turn will come in the not too distant future. He has worked hard at his game and has the ability to play at the highest level," Carew said.

Dudnath Ramkessoon, chairman of the T&T senior selection panel, said he was very surprised that West Indies selectors Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts and Clyde Butts did not include a specialist spinner in the final XI, especially at the QueenÕs Park Oval.

"I feel for Amit who has done very well for the past few season and is at the top of his game at present," the former West Indies youth cricketer said.

"Now is the right time that he should be given at opportunity to prove his worth at Test level."