The WICB was scrambling mid-week to reinstate Samuels after medical reports from United States-based doctors Answorth Allen and Michael Mont cleared the talented 22-year-old middle-order batsman to play in spite of his knee problem.

Dr Mansingh reaffirmed in a statement Thursday that his report did conclude that Samuels could go to the World Cup, and he felt “compelled to make a statement to clear various misconceptions” over the issue.

It was the selectors’ decision to extract Samuels from the squad and Dr Mansingh, while “not at liberty to discuss the details of Mr Samuels’ medical condition”, said his medical report, “though cautious and professional”, included specific recommendations about how to “manage the player’s condition during the tournament”.

“This conclusion was reiterated to the executives of the WICB and the selectors in a teleconference call on the day that the selectors took the initial decision to drop Mr Samuels from the touring squad.

“In that teleconference call, the chairman of the selectors stated that only players who were “100% fit” should go to South Africa, and he would not change his decision not to send him,” Dr Mansingh’s statement on Thursday read.

Dr Mansingh, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the University Hospital, Mona, said his recommendation for Samuels to see Dr Allen resulted in similar conclusions by the New York specialist.

“The only difference between us concerns whether the condition is now at a stage requiring surgical intervention,” said Dr Mansingh, who has recommended further surgery.

“My own view has been informed by having seen the progression of the condition first hand, while Dr Allen (who was seeing him for the first time) recommended further evaluation before deciding.

“There is therefore no difference between myself and the other specialists, as to whether Mr Samuels should go to South Africa,” Dr Mansingh said.