By Anthony Foster, Frelance WriterINJURED WEST Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor arrived in the island yesterday with hopes of rejoining the team for the one-day international series against South Africa.
Taylor, who only took part in the first Test against Zimbabwe, in which he took 1-32 off 9.4 overs, believes he can recover in time for the January 25 day/night start of the one-day series in Cape Town.
"As far as I understand, the back injury is not too serious," said the pacer who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
However, he continued by saying, "I hope I will get over it as soon as possible, I am looking forward to the Carib Beer Series (starting January 9) and the one-day series back in South Africa."
Taylor, 19, has not played since the first Test against Zimbabwe three weeks ago and took no part in the side's 3-2 one-day international series victory in Harare and Bulawayo, but said he expected to be back in action within three weeks time.
"The way I am feeling now, three weeks or less will give me the opportunity to return to action," he said.
With Jamaica's trial/practice matches in full gear, this could be the perfect opportunity for Taylor to return, but not for today's match at Spring Village and not before seeing Dr. Akshai Mansingh, a member of the West Indies medical panel.
However, Taylor, a former Aberdeen All-Age and St. Elizabeth Technical player is ready to get back in action, "I am looking forward to it (practice matches), because this is no time to play around, I am here to play cricket and that's what I am here for," the teenager said.
The young pacer said he felt bad not to complete his African tour, after getting a start in Zimbabwe. However, he did say it was circumstances beyond his control.
As to what was the experience like touring for the first time: "It was a pretty good experience being away from home with a lot of guys, which are from different territories," said the 5 ft 9 inch fast bowler.
He said that his 10-wicket haul in the Zimbabwe tour opener against that country's 'A' team was hard work, "it was a very flat pitch". The pacer sent down 35 overs in the practice match just over two days before the opening Test.
The West Indies senior selectors have named left-arm wrist Dave Mohammed as replacement for injured Jerome Taylor for the tour of South Africa.
Chairman of the selectors Sir Vivian Richards was quick to defend the selectors' decision, "having regard for South Africa's vulnerability to wrist spinners, and having further regard for their (South Africa's) recent tour of Pakistan, it was felt among the selectors that a bit of variety would be needed," a release from the WICB stated.
