By Rajiv Bisnauth
HARD work and consistency over the years have paid off for the out-of-favour left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.
The 31-year-old Berbician was rewarded with a place in the West Indies 15-man squad for the forthcoming two-Test tour of Bangladesh.
With the regional team under a lot of pressure following the debacle away series recently in New Zealand, the selectors opted to focus on strengthening the spin attack in a bid to counter the home team, where conditions are more suited for spinners.

While off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall retained his place despite a horror tour to New Zealand, the selectors recalled both Permaul and fellow left-arm spinner Jomel Warrician, who were part of the squad when the West Indies tour Bangladesh in 2018-2019.
Permaul, who has been a steady performer in regional cricket over the past six seasons, told Chronicle Sport he was happy the West Indies selectors had shown faith in him.
Permaul’s omission over the years has generated many criticisms, since many feel he has not been given a fair break.
The former West Indies A team captain has appeared in only two Test matches during 2015 against England and Australia in the Caribbean, despite being the leading wicket-taker on three occasions, (2014-15, 2017-18 and 2019-20), in the Professional Cricket League Four-Day tournament.

He finished second in 2018-19, third in 2016-17 and fifth in 2015-16 season as well.
“It is good to be back in West Indies colours. I am looking forward to this tour. It is a bit of mixed emotions. I am a bit surprised but really happy and looking forward to the opportunity.
“One always looks forward to representing the West Indies because it is a childhood dream,” he gushed.
Meanwhile, CWI chief selector Roger Harper noted that Permaul selection was a natural and easy choice to make.
“We are heading to Bangladesh, where conditions are most likely to assist our spin bowlers and this was an opportunity for Permaul, who would have consistently done well at the regional level.”

Harper added, “You would notice we have three spinners in the squad and think that (Permaul) was a natural and easy choice to make and we look forward to him doing his thing in Bangladesh and performing at the sort of high level he has done at the regional level.”
However, Harper’s comments came just months after he had suggested that the structure of the West Indies team now preluded the selection of Permaul.
Harper, a fellow Guyanese, had said while speaking on the Mason and Guest talk show in Barbados – prior to the team’s departure to England earlier this year – that Permaul’s success did not get him close enough.

West Indies arrive in Bangladesh on January 10, after which they play three One-Day Internationals from January 20-25, followed by two Tests, which start February 3 and 11.
West Indies last toured Bangladesh in 2018-2019 with a more experienced squad, and lost the ODI series 1-2 and both Tests.
West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer and Jomel Warrican.