The West Indies selectors in Zimbabwe have necessarily reverted to experience for the critical third One-day international at the Harare Sports Club today.
Those back in the Caribbean are likely to have a similarly pressing decision to make over the next few days.
Merv Dillon and Ridley Jacobs return today in preference to the two youthful beginners, Ravi Rampaul and Carlton Baugh, who were given their outings in the first two matches. These are predictable changes for a match the West Indies need to win to erase the memories of their abysmal batting collapse for 125 in Bulawayo on Sunday that allowed Zimbabwe to level the five-match series 1-1.
Of more long-term concern is the back problem that has kept Jerome Taylor, the exciting, 19yearold Jamaican fast bowler, off the field since it first flared on the first day of the first Test three weeks ago.
Although cleared by local sports medicine specialist, Dr Ainsley Janes, to resume "full participation in the tour" the day after the first Test, Taylor has complained of discomfort ever since.
He underwent a second MRI scan here on Monday and manager Ricky
Skerritt said the results, returned yesterday, were again negative.
"Jerome bowled a few overs at reduced pace in the nets today and reported no problems but when he was put through stretching exercises by the team trainer [Ronald Rogers] and physio [Sunit Liebenberg] he once more complained of soreness," Skerritt said.
"I've sent off the results of the scan to the [West Indies Cricket] Board and reported on Jerome's own reactions. The selectors will now presumably have to decide what course to take."
With the team embarking on Monday on the longer, more demanding tour of South Africa, with its four Tests and five oneday internationals, Taylor is likely to be replaced while he undergoes further medical tests. He was brought into the Test team against Sri Lanka last June three days before his 19th birthday, following an impressive inaugural first-class season.
The current tour was seen as an opportunity for him to develop in different conditions against quality batting, especially in South Africa. His predicament is an obvious setback.
His fellow Jamaican fast bowler, Darren Powell, is one of the players put on standby prior to the tour and would be a straightforward substitute.
But, after three Tests on the tour of India and Bangladesh a year ago, he was overlooked for all seven Tests in the Caribbean last season. It is an indication that he has not convinced Sir Viv Richards and his selection panel that he is their man.
Powell has been on duty for provincial team, Gauteng, since the start of the South African season six weeks ago, so should be matchfit. But his record is unflattering and contrasts with that of Nixon McLean, who is second in the firstclass bowling averages. McLean is ineligible since he has played no domestic cricket in the West Indies over the past year. In any case, his modest Test match history would not have been a convincing recommendation.
Another potential fast bowling substitute with experience is the
lefthander Pedro Collins who has been playing club cricket in Barbados. If chosen, he would join his younger brother, Fidel Edwards, in the team for the first time. Edwards has long since recovered from the ankle injury sustained in the second Test and is included in the 12 today but not expected to start.
The truth is that there is no fast bowler with strong credentials
should Taylor have to leave and the five who remain should be sufficient to fit the bill.
Another option is a wrist spinner who would add needed variety to a monotonous attack, especially following reports of the South Africans difficulty against legspinner Danesh Kaneria in their series in Pakistan last month.
Dinanath Ramnarine and Mahendra Nagamootoo are the two with experience of Tests and touring but, for contrasting reasons, both have drifted out of contention.
Ramnarine's legbreaks and googlies earned him 20 wickets in the five Tests against South Africa in the Caribbean in 2001, but his mind now seems more on his role as chief cook and bottle washer of the Players Association than on his cricket.
Nagamootoo, fast and flat, simply lacks the guile to be effective at the highest level.
The most ambitious choice would be Dave Mohammed, the 24yearold
Trinidadian whose leftarm, backofthehand method is a rarity in the international game. He was picked for the previous tour of Zimbabwe as the injured Ramnarine's replacement so has been in the mix for some time.
He reportedly bowled well in last month's Red Stripe Bowl and is a fair lower-order batsman and fine fielder. But it is not Trinidad's season at present, a deterrent even if the selectors were inclined to go for addition spinner in preference to pace.
In the end, the traditional West Indian mindset on pace would likely settle the issue. The pity is that Taylor has been grounded so early in his career.
Teams:
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Vasbert Drakes, Merv Dillon (or Fidel Edwards), Corey Collymore.
Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Yusi Sibanda, Trevor Gripper, Mark Vermuelen, Craig Wishart, Stuart Mazikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Sean Ervine, Gary Brent, Ray Price.
Umpires: Asoka deSilva (Sri Lanka), Kevin Barbour (Zimbabwe).