Windies v Poms - 2nd. Test

[Donny]

Collins drafted in for second Test

Wisden Cricinfo staff


The left-arm fast bowler, Pedro Collins, has been drafted into West Indies's squad for the second Test in Trinidad, after his half-brother, Fidel Edwards, was ruled out through injury.

Edwards was West Indies' fastest and most impressive bowler in the first Test, where he took three top-order wickets in England's first innings. But he limped out of the match on the third morning with a strain to the left side of his lower back. It is a cruel blow to West Indies' hopes of bouncing back from that crushing ten-wicket defeat at Sabina Park.

Collins, 27, has not played for West Indies since the corresponding fixture in Trinidad against Australia last year. But he has taken 55 wickets in his 19 Tests, including a best of 6 for 76 against New Zealand at Bridgetown, and offers West Indies some useful variation.

On a more positive note, Dwayne Smith has come back into contention for a place after dislocating a finger in the build-up to the first Test. But Brian Lara remains a concern after suffering a dislocation of his own, sustained while dropping a catch on the second evening of the match. With the Wisden Trophy at stake on his home ground, however, it will take more than a bit of discomfort to keep Lara out of the team.

West Indies have much ground to make up in the public-relations sphere as well, after four members of the humiliated team – named and shamed by the Trinidad Express as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Adam Sanford and Tino Best – were seen partying in the ground's Mound Stand within hours of the conclusion of the match.

"I am disgusted at the thoughtlessness and shamelessness displayed by these players following such a horrific performance," said Ricky Skerritt, the team manager, as he issued a public apology to the West Indian public. Gus Logie, the coach, added: "We will continue to ask the players for a higher level of discipline and a higher level of commitment to themselves and West Indies cricket."


West Indies squad Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Ryan Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Corey Collymore, Adam Sanford, Tino Best, Pedro Collins.