Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard opt out of West Indies World T20 squad

“Kieron Pollard withdrew from the squad citing a lack of sufficient progress in his rehabilitative work (injury sustained in December) and hence wont be fit for tournament,” the WICB said in a release. “Narine withdrew citing insufficient progress in the rehabilitative work on his bowling action. He is currently banned from bowling in international cricket.”

Narine was reported for suspect action in November last year during the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.The offspinner has had problems with his action and has been reported in the Indian Premier League and the Champions League T20. He was named in the squad for the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but later withdrew his name.

The duo withdrew their name just ahead of the February 14 deadline set by WICB for the players to accept the new contract offered to them but the board made it clear that the players didn’t opt out of the tournament because of a contract dispute. WICB has taken the hard-hitting stand after it was revealed that the 15-man squad has rejected the offered contracts, unhappy with the huge pay cut.

Squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor.