Windies Team Leaves for Aus

Mon, Oct 17, '05

The West Indies team left the Caribbean in two groups on Monday to contest hosts Australia in a three-Test series.

The two groups left Barbados and Jamaica for Australia via London, England, the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement. The larger group, of players and officials based in the Eastern Caribbean and headed by team manager Tony Howard assembled in Barbados then departed for London on Monday afternoon.

Opening batsman Devon Smith, who was scheduled to join the group in Barbados today, missed his flight out of Grenada and will travel on Tuesday.

The other batch, made up of players from Jamaica, also departed Monday on their way to London where they will join the larger party.

Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle will travel to Australia on Wednesday. Hinds received permission to remain in Jamaica to take care of pre-arranged personal family business.

Gayle only recently returned to Jamaica after participating in the ICC Super Series in Australia and will travel with Hinds.

Brian Lara is already in Australia.