Opening batsman Chris Gayle has been named in the West Indies squad for the tour of South Africa.

Gayle missed the recent trip to India, which came to an abrupt end due to a dispute between players and the West Indies Cricket Board, but he has fully recovered from a back problem to give the team a boost.

The 35-year-old has been joined in the squad by bowler Sheldon Cottrell, who has not played a Test match for the Windies since his debut in India last year.

"There is a significant amount of international cricket to be played over the next six months, including Test matches against some of the higher ranked teams in world cricket and as such it would be critical for the squad to get off on a positive note in South Africa," chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd revealed in a statement.

"Specifically we have selected young fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell who is a good prospect. The Selection Panel is looking to introduce players such as Cottrell who can contribute in moving West Indies cricket forward."

The West Indies will meet the Proteas in the first of three Test matches at Centurion on December 17.

Squad: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Braithwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton