Marlon Pulls Out of Jamaican Squad

Jamaican batsman Marlon Samuels has yielded to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) request to avoid competitive cricket and will not play in this weekend's Carib Beer Cup match against the Leewards.

Samuels' U.S.-based Agent John Pinnock issued a statement saying a decision has been reached to have Samuels pull out of the Jamaica team and travel to New York to get an evaluation on the barking left knee from WICB physician Dr Ainsworth Allen on Friday. "From New York, Marlon will travel to Baltimore to get a second opinion from one of the premier knee surgeons in the world," the statement said.

After some extended discussions with Marlon Samuels, the Jamaica & West Indies Cricket Boards, Dr. Mansingh and two knee specialists in New York and Baltimore, a decision has been reached to have Marlon pull out of the Jamaica team that is currently in Anguilla for their opening Carib Beer game against the Leeward Island and fly directly to New York on Thursday, January 30, 2003, to get an evaluation of his left knee from Dr. Ainsworth Allen. From New York, Marlon will travel to Baltimore to get a second opinion from one of the premier knee surgeons in the world.

?Marlon has always put his health and conditioning ahead of everything that he does on the cricket field and his life in general. Indeed, that was why he reported the slight discomfort he began feeling after some intense training sessions in Antigua last week.

Marlon's knee is feeling extremely good at this time. In fact, it has not felt better since his surgery just under a year ago. However, his decision to have it checked out at this time was prompted by (1) the need to leave no questions unanswered (2) to work with the W.I. Cricket Board (3) to allay the concerns of his many fans and supporters and (4) to set the stage for him return to competitive cricket?without much delay.

Marlon considers it a privilege to represent the W.I. and shall continue to do every thing in his powers to reinforce his appreciation for being part of such a great tradition.