Several cricket officials here have queried the exclusion of Trinidadian batsman Lendl Simmons from the West Indies team for the current Digicel One-Day International series against Australia.

Patrick Rampersad, president of the Merryboys Cricket Club where Simmons plays his domestic cricket, called for selectors to have a second look at the 25-year old left-hander.

"There is every reason for the recall of Lendl to the West Indies team. He has had a good regional season with T&T and the only reason that he can't be picked has to be a non-cricketing one," Rampersad said.

"If this is the case, then he has been punished enough and must be looked at again for possible inclusion on the West Indies team. He is young and he is an excellent cricketer, with a bright future."

His comments come after Simmons was again overlooked yesterday by West Indies selectors for the final two ODIs of the five-match Digicel Series scheduled for St Kitts this weekend.

Simmons last played for the West Indies in the Standard Bank ODI series against South Africa earlier this year. He was overlooked for the Sri Lankan and current Australian tour of the Caribbean.

Former West Indies opener and selector Joey Carew said he supported a recall for Simmons to the West Indies fold.

"Simmons is a very talented batsman with plenty ability and I like him," said Carew, a former chairman of West Indies selectors.

"I think he has a bright future ahead of him and I cannot understand why he is not in the picture at present."

Former vice-president of the T&T Cricket Board, Baldath Mahabir said he was also puzzled by the selectors' decision not to include Simmons.

"I am baffled by their decision not to have this young man on the team. I cannot see a player like Andre Fletcher getting on the team before Simmons," Mahabir said.