Collymore Miffed at Non-Selection

Wed, Jan 5, '05

West Indies seamer Corey Collymore is upset at being left out of the squad for the VB one-day series in Australia, insisting he was fit and available for selection.

In an interview with the Barbados Nation newspaper, Collymore said he received training and fitness programme from team physio Stephen Partridge after he sustained a side strain during the regional one-day series but no follow-up checks were made on his progress.

"Usually, I don?t let these things worry me but this time around, I was very disappointed at actually not (being selected) to go to Australia seeing no one never checked to see if I was okay after I had the programme,? Collymore told the newspaper.

?They gave me a time span which set me up to early January to be ready, but I was ready from early December and no one checked to find out if I was good, and that?s the part that really disappointed me,? he added.

The 27-year-old Barbadian, who has played in 14 Tests and 56 ODIs for the West Indies, said he was given specific instructions to sit out the two warm-up matches in Bennett King's first training camp. "I was basically doing some remedial work at that time. It was going good and now I am feeling good again and ready to bowl for Barbados on Friday.?

When asked if he was 100 per cent fit, Collymore said: ?I would say so except for a little niggle in the ankle. But other than that, the injury which was supposed to keep me out for a while is very good.?

?After not going to Australia, I was so disappointed I thought about not playing cricket for a while and just relaxing and getting my thoughts together, but I love playing for Barbados and I would do anything to play for Barbados as long as I am fit,? he added.