West Indies quartet make themselves unavailable for World Cup qualifiers... but Gayle is in

Sunil Narine, Keiron Pollard and Andre Russell would all rather play in the Pakistan Super League

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Sunil Narine is not available for the World Cup qualifiers

A number of high-profile West Indies cricketers will not help their country try to qualify for the World Cup, opting to play in the Pakistan Super League instead.

The Windies have failed to automatically reach the global showpiece event, and will have to negotiate their way through a mini-tournament in Zimbabwe between March 4 and 25 to book their place in England next summer.

Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell have all made themselves unavailable for that competition, though Chris Gayle will play a part.

“We contacted some of our well-known senior cricketers to ascertain their availability for the tournament and we are pleased that Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels have indicated their full support and commitment to the cause,” chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said.

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Chris Gayle will feature for West Indies

“Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo and Andre Russell, however, indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League.”

Bravo's brother Dwayne is also not involved.

"Dwayne Bravo was not contacted as he had indicated previously that he is no longer available to play cricket for the West Indies," Browne said.

West Indies have struggled to field full-strength sides for several years, following disputes between the governing body and the players.

They are due to play play their opening game of the World Cup qualifying tournament against a World Cricket League Division Two team on March 6 in Harare, before facing Papua New Guinea, Ireland and the Netherlands.

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jason Mohammed (vice-captain), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cotterell, Nikita Miller, Kesrick Williams, Kemar Roach, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo

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