By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer 
Hinds
WAVELL HINDS became the fourth West Indies player to be ruled out with injury during the cricket team's tour of South Africa, Caribbean Cricket.com reported on Friday.
A senior West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) official told the website that Hinds, 27, suffered a painful strain in the groin/ pelvis area and will return to the Caribbean immediately.
However, the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) CEO, Brian Breese, said he was not aware of the decision. "I haven't heard anything about that," Breese said.
The Kensington Cricket Club player becomes the third Jamaican and the fourth overall to be forced out of the tour of Africa.
Fast bowling sensation Jerome Taylor is out with a back injury and a recurring knee ailment has sidelined Marlon Samuels while Anguillan off-spinning allrounder Omari Banks suffered a lower back stress fracture.
The left-handed opener, who has struggled with the bat (averaging 9.83 from six innings), has also battled a shoulder ailment during the tour but the official reason for his departure is listed as a groin/pelvic strain.
Left-arm chinaman bowler Dave Mohammed replaced Taylor and all-rounder Dwayne Smith took Samuels' place. Adam Sanford replaced Banks but no decision has yet been taken on Hinds' replacement.
A replacement for Hinds would not arrive in time for the fourth and final Test which begins in Centurion on January 16. However, sources told CaribbeanCricket.com that the regional selectors will name a 15-man squad for the ODI series which begins on January 25, at which time a replacement for Hinds will be identified.
Plagued by injuries, even coach Gus Logie was forced into carrying out the duties of 12th man on the opening day of their tour match against Easterns at Willowmoore Park on Friday.
Other players affected by injuries on the tour include fast bowlers Vasbert Drakes (side strain), Corey Collymore (hamstring), Fidel Edwards (ankle) and Mervyn Dillon (shoulder/finger); batsmen Chris Gayle (hamstring), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (finger/ thigh), Dwayne Smith (finger) and Brian Lara (forearm) along with Carlton Baugh (knee).
