Miller elated after surprise recall

Outstanding spinner Nikita Miller says he is absolutely elated with his recall to the West Indies one-day team and intends to give his best during the three-match series against New Zealand later this month.

Miller, who missed the first three rounds of the CWI/Digicel Four-day Championship, but has since jumped to third on the bowling charts after playing two matches, was included in the

15-member squad as one of two specialist spinners.

The other is Barbadian off-spinner Ashley Nurse, who was a member of the last West Indies one-day squad which was whipped 4-1 by hosts England in the summer.

"I am happy for the recall and elated, as I always want to represent the West Indies, as I am a servant of the game," said Jamaican Miller, who last represented the team close to three years ago.

"I knew the coach (Stuart Law) had expressed that he would like to have continuity in his squad and they had a group of players working with.

SURPRISED BUT HAPPY

"I therefore wasn't expecting it (a recall), and am a bit surprised. But as I said, I am really happy."

Miller, who has represented the West Indies in 46 one-dayers and a solitary Test, currently has 23 wickets in the ongoing first-class championship.

Fellow sidelined West Indies left-arm spinner, Guyanese Veersammy Permaul, and Trinidadian leg-spinner, Imran Khan, who has played five matches, are joint leaders with 26.

The 35-year-old Miller, who has taken five wickets or more in each of the four innings he has bowled this season, is also the leading all-time wicket-taker in regional first-class cricket having topped the bowling charts on multiple occasions.

"The plan is to proceed instructions of the coaching staff, and hopefully, everything will work out," said Miller, who, for the West Indies, has a 4.65 economy rate, and best bowling figures of four for 43.

The one-day series will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 International series.

The West Indies are currently trailing 1-0 in their two-match Test series with the Black Caps.

Windies ODI squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jason Mohammed (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.