WI looking for Canderpaul replacement

The West Indies have sent for a new batsman to bolster their ranks after Shivnarine Chanderpaul was diagnosed with two separate stress fractures in his left foot that ruled him out of the second Test against Australia yesterday.

But no decision has yet been made on whether Chanderpaul will return home.

"We will only decide on Shiv's future after we have a report from the doctor in a day or two," manager Ricky Skerritt said. "You can say for the moment the injury is tour-threatening and I have asked the West Indies Cricket Board [WICB] to send another batsman."

The prognosis is that the experienced left-handed batsman will be out of action for three weeks at least. It means that he won't be available until the fourth Test starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

Skerritt said Chanderpaul had complained of "slight pain" on Wednesday but, as it intentified, he saw a doctor on Thursday morning for an x-ray and isotope tracing.

Put to the test

The doctor's report revealing a stress fracture of the fourth toe on the left foot and a minor fracture of the shin was presented while the team for yesterday's second Test was being chosen.

Chanderpaul was "very keen to play", according to Skerritt, and was named in the Test. He was put through a rigorous fitness test before the start of play but could not pass it.

A local anaesthetic was suggested but ruled out by the doctor on the ground that it was only likely to cause serious damage. "I can tell you Shiv is very upset he is not playing," Skerritt said. "He batted superbly in the first Test in Brisbane and was keen to continue that form here."

It is the latest in a long line of ailments and illnesses that have limited Chanderpaul's appearances for the West Indies in the last two years. The list is: missed all four Tests in the series against Australia in the Caribbean in 1999 with a shoulder injury.