West Indies seek place for Samuels after he's passed fit

Rev. Wes Hall, President of the West Indies Cricket Board, has been in discussion with the International Cricket Council to seek the reinstatement of Marlon Samuels for the Cricket World Cup 2003 that opens on Saturday in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

This follows the receipt of two medical reports on Samuels' troublesome left knee from Dr. Answorth Allen of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and Dr. Michael Mont of Baltimore, Maryland, late on Monday that cleared the way for the young batsman to start playing immediately.

The reports were solicited after Samuels was omitted from the West Indies' 15-member squad to contest the CWC 2003 following initial medical tests and evaluations carried out by Dr. Patrick Matthews in Antigua and Dr. Akshai Mansingh in Jamaica during the team's CWC 2003 preparatory camp in Antigua last month.

"The results of these reports and the medical opinions expressed therein, provide excellent news for Marlon and, indeed, West Indian cricket fans throughout the world," remarked Rev. Hall.

"Both doctors have concurred that Marlon may return to competitive cricket at all levels -- with immediate effect -- and we are extremely pleased at this development.

"The reports both share the view that Marlon does, indeed, have a problem with his left knee and that the problem is one, which, because of its chronic nature will require periodic monitoring and evaluation. Both doctors, however, concur that there is no immediate need for `surgical intervention'."

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the WICB, Roger Brathwaite, dispatched a letter to the CWC 2003 Technical Committee, and Rev. Hall has made personal contact with Malcolm Speed, chief executive officer of the ICC and the substantive chairman of the CWC 2003 Technical Committee, to explore the possibility of reinstating Samuels in the squad.

"We will do all in our power to have Marlon play in this World Cup," Rev. Hall said.

The WICB also wishes to recognise the positive contribution of John Pinnock, Samuels' agent, throughout this incident, particularly the care of the young cricketer during his stay in the United States.

The WICB strongly believes, however, the facts surrounding the sequence of events in this matter need to be clearly and concisely enunciated.

For the sake of clarity, set out below is a chronological recap of the events:

1. Samuels complains of pain and soreness in his knee while participating in the West Indies' training camp in Antigua on January 19;

2. On examination by Dr. Matthews, the physiotherapist assigned to the team, Samuels is taken for X-rays;

3. On January 21, the X-rays indicate there is a problem with Samuels' knee and it is recommended that he travel to Jamaica for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a second opinion;

4. Samuels travels to Jamaica on January 23 and sees Dr. Mansingh, who prepares a medical report for the WICB on the basis of the MRI;

5. The WICB receives the report on the evening of January 24 and it is forwarded to the West Indies selection committee;

6. Following their examination of the report and the strongly worded cautions about Samuels' unlikely completion of the CWC 2003, the expressed views that he would require surgery "now" and a final caveat that he could "break down" at any time, the selection committee makes a decision to omit Samuels from the squad on January 25;

7. With the team scheduled to depart the Caribbean on January 28, the WICB contacts the International Cricket Council on January 25 to notify them of the need to effect a change to its 15-member squad, and receives clearance to do so on January 27;

8. On the recommendation of Dr. Mansingh's report, the WICB makes arrangements for Samuels to see Dr. Allen, but he is selected by Jamaica to play against Leeward Islands in the opening round of the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series; and

9. Samuels eventually travels to New York on January 30 and sees Dr. Allen the following day, travelling on to Baltimore to see Dr. Mont, his own specialist, on February 3.

West Indies faces host South Africa in the opening match of the CWC 2003 on Sunday at Newlands in Cape Town.