AS dreaded but, against hope, not expected, Omari Banks yesterday became the third player eliminated from the West Indies tour of South Africa.
Orthopaedic back specialist, Dr.Deon Acilliers, "strongly recommended" that the tall, 21-year-old Anguillan rest a stress fracture of the lower vertebrae for the next three months, manager Ricky Skerritt said.
"After an examination this (Monday) morning, the doctor advised that it would not be in Omari's best interest for him to play over the next three months during which he should allow the body's natural healing to take place," Skerritt reported.
The time frame means that the earliest Banks could return to active cricket would be midway through the 2004 Carib Beer Series in February and over a month prior to the first Test against England in Kingston, March 11-15.
"The doctor said that pain-killing injections could have allowed him to play in a do-or-die Test, but pointed out that to continue on the tour would further aggravate the injury," Skerritt added.
He has advised the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of the position.
The selectors will have to meet for the third time to choose a replacement after bringing in left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed for fast bowler Jerome Taylor (back) and right-hand batsman Dwayne Smith for Marlon Samuels (knee).
Mohammed is expected in Johannesburg this morning, Smith a day later. Gareth Breese, the Jamaican who toured India last year when he played his only Test, and Barbadian Ryan Hurley, who was chosen for the first time in the one-day internationals against Australia last season, are the two most obvious alternatives.
Like Banks, both are off-spinners and useful lower order batsmen. Banks first complained of back pain after the second Test in Zimbabwe three weeks ago. The problem was diagnosed there as muscular and, as he was not included in the squad for the subsequent five one-day internationals, he had two weeks off.
When it became more acute following nine overs in the opening match of the South African tour last Wednesday, Banks had bone and radioscope done on the offending area here on Friday.
A sports medicine specialist advised that the injury could be managed by cortisone injections to clear the inflammation and kill the pain. But, after reconsideration over the weekend, decided to refer Banks to Dr.Acilliers who had been out of town.
It is another early setback for a promising young player.
The first Anguillan Test cricketer, Banks was a surprise choice for the home series against Australia last season but, although conceding 204 in his first bowl in Tests, he fit easily into the team.
His steady, unbeaten 47, lasting three and a half hours, was crucial in the historic West Indies' winning total of 418 for seven in the final Test in Antigua.
"It's very disappointing," Skerritt said. "Omari is a young man with a bright future and this tour would have helped him develop further. But he's sensible enough not to allow it to depress him and I'm sure he'll bounce back."
The Injury List
To Date
Jerome Taylor: Lower back strain restricted him to 9.4 overs in the first Test in Zimbabwe. Pronounced fit to resume playing by a specialist but continued to complain of discomfort. Returned to Jamaica after Zimbabwe tour.
Fidel Edwards: Sprained ankle during the second Test in Zimbabwe in which he could bowl only 11 first innings overts. Recovered to play the last two one-day internationals and fully fit again.
Marlon Samuels: Troubled by recurring damage to the knee that twice previously required surgery. Ruled out of the tour on arrival in South Africa. Returned to Jamaica on Sunday.
Vasbert Drakes: Strained intercostal muscle has kept him out of action since the third one-day international in Zimbabwe November 26. Now close to full fitness again but given further time to rest for the first Test starting Friday.
Corey Collymore: Reported a "slight hamstring strain" on Friday, the first day of the match against Free State in which he did not bowl as "an utmost of caution", according to manager Skerritt. Expected to be fully fit for the first Test.