The tournament will also feature India and Zimbabwe.

Hinds, a left-handed middle order batsman and part-time medium pacer, has been groomed on the West Indies' last two a team tours of South Africa and India.

He was called up for the final Test of the home series against Australia earlier this year but was not included in the final team.

Fast bowler Nixon McLean, who was omitted from the World Cup squad, has been recalled while left-handed opener Adrian Griffith, who played in the last two Tests against Australia, is also in the squad which will be captained by Brian Lara.

Gifted young Jamaican right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler Ricardo Powell, who played one match in West Indies' unsuccessful World Cup campaign has also been retained.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said in a statement it ``sees the need to usethese short tours to expose and groom young talented cricketers.''Veteran Curtly Ambrose has been left out but the WICB said it had been decided to alternate him and fellow fast bowler Courtney Walsh in forthcoming tours.

``Having regard to the packed regional and international cricket programme involving the West Indies between now and next june, the long term future of West Indies cricket, and the phsical demands on players, especially long-serving fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, the West Indies selectors have decided not to include them together on teams to tour Singapore from August 29 to September 9, and Sharjah from October 10-22,'' it said.

``As a consequence, while Walsh has been included in the team to tour Singapore, he will be replaced by Ambrose on the tour of Sharjah.''Apart from Ambrose, the other three players axed from the World Cup squad are batsmen Stuart Williams, Phil Simmons and Keith Arthurton.

West Indies squad: Brian Lara (captain), Jimmy Adams, Ridley Jacobs,Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sherwin Campbell, Ricardo Powell, Mervyn Dillon, Reon King, Courtney Walsh, Hendy Bryan, Nehemiah Perry, Adrian Griffith, Wavell Hinds, Nixon McLean.

Singapore schedule

Sept 2: West Indies vs Zimbabwe

Sept 4: India vs Zimbabwe

Sept 5: India vs West Indies

Sept 7: Final