Samuels Recovering From Wrist Strain

Wed, Feb 23, '05

The wrist injury that ruled Jamaican batsman Marlon Samuels out of Rounds 7 and 8 of the Carib Beer series has been diagnosed as a strain.

Samuels, who has been seeing orthapaedic surgeon Dr Kenneth Vaughn since returning from St Maarten after Round 6, says he is feeling a bit better. "The swelling is basically gone, and I'm not feeling any pain," Samuels told CaribbeanCricket.com.

This is good news for the 24-year-old middle order batsman who was out of international cricket for several months due to a chronic knee injury.

After performing reasonably well in the regional one-day series, Samuels made the cut to participate in Bennett King's three-week camp in Barbados. He was one of fourteen selected to go to Australia where the West Indies crashed out of the VB one-day tri-nation series.

It was in the West Indies' third match that Samuels said he sustained the injury. "My bat got stuck in the ground," said Samuels who was trying to avoid being run out and tripped over fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz.

Samuels said he got ice treatment after that incident. When asked what other treatment he underwent, Samuels said that was the only treatment received.

"That is a long story," said Samuels when asked to explain. He declined to comment further.

Jamaica national coach Robert Haynes was recently quoted as saying Samuels "did not get the treatment that he needed" from the West Indies medical staff.

He is looking forward to being fit and eligible for selection against Barbados, which will be Jamaica's penultimate match at home. In the meantime, regular physiotherapy sessions are being arranged. Samuels will go to Dr Vaughn in three weeks for a follow up check.