Edwards, Thomas to replace injured WI duo

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

West Indies have applied to World Cup organisers for Kirk Edwards and Devon Thomas to replace the injured pair of Adrian Barath and Carlton Baugh Jr in their squad.

The West Indies Cricket Board confirmed yesterday that Barath and Baugh will be sidelined for the tournament with hamstring injuries.

"Medical specialists have determined that in both cases, the two players will not be able to resume training for two to three weeks," said WICB spokesman Imran Khan in a media release.

The WICB, through the team operations manager Richie Richardson, has made an application to the World Cup Event Committee for Baugh and Barath to be replaced in the squad.

Baugh was sidelined during the team's second World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday, and Darren Bravo was required to keep wicket, but Barath missed the match.

Edwards and Thomas may not arrive in time to be considered for West Indies' opening match against South Africa next Thursday, but the current squad can manage until they arrive.

The younger Bravo may be called upon to keep wicket again, and though Devon Smith opened the batting in the warm-ups, they could also put Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the top of the order.