Collins replaces Edwards for second Test

Pedro Collins, the left-arm fast bowler, has replaced the injured Fidel Edwards in a 13-man West Indies squad for the second Test against India beginning at St. Lucia on Saturday. Edwards suffered a hamstring strain during the first Test and it is doubtful whether he would be able to take any further part in the series.

The West Indies Cricket Board confirmed Edwards' unavailability: "Edwards suffered a strain to his right hamstring during the first Test match and has been ruled out of the second game. He will return to his native Barbados while Collins will join the squad in St. Lucia tomorrow."

Bennett King, the coach of West Indies, voiced concerns over Edwards' availability. "He is not playing in the second Test but we are hopeful of the third," he said. "It's going to be touch and go, and even in the fourth, it's still going to be touch and go. It's not great news but we'll see how it goes."

Collins, with 96 wickets from 29 Tests, last played against South Africa in April 2005.

West Indies squad: Brian Lara (capt), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-capt), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ian Bradshaw, Jerome Taylor, Corey Collymore, Pedro Collins, Dave Mohammed.