Samuels gets special MRI scan

ST JOHN'S - West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels is being sent home for a precautionary MRI scan to ensure he will be fit for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

The talented right-hander will fly home to Jamaica today from the West Indies camp in Antigua for the scan on his left knee which will be conducted by Dr Akshai Mansingh, a member of the West Indies Cricket Board medical panel.

The 21-year-old Samuels, who has been Antigua for the team's two-week World Cup training camp, has been experiencing discomfort in his knee after undergoing surgery in February during the West Indies series against Pakistan in Sharjah.

Samuels is expected to rejoin the camp on Sunday.

He missed yesterday's day/night practice match at Sanford Cricket Ground, butmay be available for the second game on Sunday.

If Samuels is unable to recover for the World Cup his place could be taken by Barbadian allrounder Ryan Hinds, a left-handed batsman, left-arm spinner and excellent fielder. Hinds himself had a knee injury late last year but is now fully recovered.

The West Indies will play the tournament opener against South Africa in Cape Town on February 9. These two teams are grouped in Pool B with Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kenya and Canada.