Hinds 'getting on with it'

Ryan Hinds returned to the Caribbean yesterday in high spirits and vowed to put behind him the disappointment of having to be withdrawn from the West Indies World Cup squad on the eve of the tournament in South Africa.

The 21-year-old Barbadian all-rounder, a last-minute replacement following injury concerns over Marlon Samuels, took the news in stride when he was informed last Friday that the International Cricket Council had accepted a request from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the Jamaican batsman to be reinstated.

"Obviously you feel disappointed, but at the end of the day, the situation is beyond my control," Hinds told NATIONSPORT at Grantley Adams International Airport.

"There is nothing I could have done about it. I am happy to be back home to play for Barbados."

It is the second time in recent months that Hinds has had to cut short a trip with the West Indies team.

Last November, injury ended his participation on the twin-tours of India and Bangladesh ahead of the second leg of the tour.

This latest setback would have been more distressing, bearing in mind he was set to appear in the game's most prestigious cricket competition.

"In life, you have got to accept change," Hinds said.

"This is one change I am willing to accept. I just have to get over it."

There was initial speculation that following his withdrawal from the World Cup, Hinds might have been given the option of remaining in South Africa in the capacity of a spectator.

That option, he said, was never put to him, and even if it had, he would have declined.

Hinds feels he would be better off representing Barbados in the Carib Beer Series which moves into the third round this weekend when the local side meet defending Cup champions Jamaica at the North Stars Cultural and Social Club in Crab Hill, St Lucy.

"As the [West Indies] manager said, I am a cricketer and I've come home to play cricket," the Barbados vice-captain said.

"I've got to be positive. I am looking to play against Jamaica this weekend, get a good start and set the tone for the rest of the series.

"It is very important for me to get back into form as soon as possible and get a couple of hundreds under my belt."

Samuels was pulled out of the West Indies team on January 26 after a report on his troublesome left knee was received from Dr Akshai Mansingh, but was cleared to play on February 3 following further reports from American-based doctors, Answorth Allen and Michael Mont.

He left the Caribbean last Friday and only arrived in South Africa a few hours prior to Sunday's opening match and was not selected for the final XI.

"Marlon is a good player. Once he gets his chance to go out there in the middle, I know he is going to give 100 per cent," Hinds said.

Hinds did not attend the West Indies' match against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday, and said he was given encouragement from the players to stay focused.