TRINIDAD, Feb 15: Marlon Samuels has been included in the West Indies 15-man World Cup squad despite the bookmaker cloud hanging over his head.

The selectors have also sprung one surprise with Kieron Pollard, the 19-year-old Trinidad all-rounder, beating off more experienced names for the final place.

Much of the squad had been set in stone, but Pollard has kept out the likes of Darren Sammy and Runako Morton, while Rayad Emrit who played in the recent series against India didn't even make the reserve list.

Lendl Simmons has taken the final batting slot while Ian Bradshaw, Daren Powell, Corey Collymore and Jerome Taylor are the four pacemen, leaving Fidel Edwards on the sidelines.

The West Indies open the World Cup against Pakistan, in Jamaica, on March 13.

West Indies squad: Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Ian Bradshaw, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor, Denesh Ramdin, Devon Smith, Lendl Simmons, Daren Powell and Kieron Pollard.—Agencies