ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) - Fidel Edwards, Pedro Collins, Omari Banks and Sylvester Joseph left the Caribbean yesterday to join the West Indies team for the four-Test series against England.
The quartet will take the West Indies’ touring party to 16, after Ian Bradshaw, Darren Sammy and Ricardo Powell, all members of the ODI squad taking part in the three-nation series, make way, following tomorrow’s final against New Zealand at Lord’s.
Edwards, who had to withdraw from the touring party for the ODI series due to injury, has been carrying out a gym programme as outlined by team physiotherapist Andrew Simpson and trainer Ronald Rogers, under the supervision of Jacqui King, a member of the WICB’s medical panel, in his native Barbados.
He has also been attending physical therapy and has responded very well to treatment. He, however, has been unable to play any competitive cricket as Barbados Cricket Association Division 1 matches, in which he was scheduled to play, have been badly affected by rain over the last two weekends.
Collins, his brother, has not played much cricket either, after a heavy workload during the home Test series against England and Bangladesh. He has also taken the time to rest some of his niggling injuries and complete gym work.
Joseph and Banks have both been involved with the Leeward Islands Cricket Association championships for their respective islands of Antigua & Barbuda and Anguilla.
West Indies face England in Tests at Lord’s (July 22-26), Birmingham (July 29-August 2), Manchester (August 12-16) and The Oval (August 19-23). In preparation for the first two Tests of the series, they face the Marylebone Cricket Club at Arundel from July 13 to 16, and Sri Lanka-A at Shenley from July 17 to 19.
Itinerary:
July 13-16: v MCC - Arundel
July 17-19: v Sri Lanka-A - Shenley
July 22-26: First Test - Lord’s
July 29-August 2: Second Test - Birmingham
August 5-8: v Derby/Leics/Durham/Yorkshire - to be confirmed