Fit again, Fidel Edwards ready for comeback

Fidel Edwards, the West Indies fast bowler, is confident that he is ready for a return to international cricket after nearly two years out. Edwards, 29, made his first-class comeback in February after back surgery had kept him on the sidelines since the 2009 Champions League, and he was named for this week's two-day practice match in Guyana.

That could pave the way for Edwards to play in the first Test against Pakistan, starting on Thursday. He has had a successful comeback for Barbados in the regional four-day competition, and collected 22 wickets at 23.77 from his six outings.

"I'm very happy to be back," Edwards said. "I spent a long time out but I've made a full recovery and my body is ready to play five-day cricket again. I did a lot of good work with my trainer and the physio in Barbados and they were tremendous help to me during my comeback period.

"I felt I bowled well for Barbados and that helped me. I spent some time at the camp in Barbados before the series started and I felt comfortable. I did some work with the head coach (Ottis Gibson) during the camp and things have been going smoothly.

"I'm really looking ahead to what is upcoming. This series against Pakistan is a good place to start. I'm focussed and I'm looking to stay fit and strong. I'm looking to get wickets and help the West Indies to success. There is a lot to play for and I'm looking forward.

"I have some goals I'm looking to achieve and one thing is to help the team win and move back up the ladder. This is vitally important to the team overall and to the supporters of West Indies cricket."

West Indies are currently seventh on the Test rankings table, but they will move up to sixth if they win the two-match series against Pakistan. However, they will need to turn around some poor form in the longest format; West Indies haven't won any of their past 17 Tests, a winless streak stretching back to February 2009.