Chris Gayle was reinstated as West Indies captain on Monday to lead a full-strength squad on a three-Test tour of Australia later this month. The 30-year-old Jamaican and other leading players had withdrawn from a home series against Bangladesh in July and the Champions Trophy in September due to a long-standing contract conflict with the West Indies Cricket Board.

Only four players from among those who themselves available during the strike action — all-rounder Darren Sammy, batsman Travis Dowlin and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge — were selected for the Australia tour, beginning November 18.

Gayle, who has played 82 Tests, will open the batting with 19-year-old Adrian Barath, the only player in the squad without international experience. Barath, from Trinidad & Tobago, had been chosen in a 13-man squad for the Test series against Bangladesh before the dispute between WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association.

Jerome Taylor returns to lead the pace attack, and will be aided by Ravi Rampaul, Roach and Tonge. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo are also back from strike action.

Australian-born Brendan Nash will return home for the first time as a West Indies player since making his debut 18 months ago.

‘Exciting contest’

Australian cricket officials were relieved to learn a full-strength West Indies touring squad would be heading here later this month, Cricket Australia said.

“We’ve seen in recent times where a West Indies side has struggled against Bangladesh and others and it’s a great relief to know they’re going to be full strength,” CA chief executive James Sutherland told reporters.

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