Gayle returns to Windies ODI team for Irish clash

Jamaican Chris Gayle's is set to make a return to the Windies' One Day International squad for the first time since the 2015 Cricket World Cup as the Caribbean side takes on Ireland for valuable limited overs points at Belfast on Wednesday.

Along with Gayle, fellow Jamaicans Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor also feature in the 15-man squad, which arrived in Northern Ireland on Monday.

Samuels last turned out for the Windies in October 2016, but was dropped for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe the following month. It's Ireland's first fixture against a test-playing nation since acquiring test status.

Neither side has quite managed to dominate anyone in ODIs of late, in that sense, their reputations remain the same. But West Indies will enjoy their chance to feel like the stronger team before they head back to England.

A win will simplify their requirement for direct qualification for the next World Cup in 2019 as they'll need to beat England 4-1 to secure their spot before September 30. The match is set to start at 4:15 am Jamaica time.