Curtains for Franklyn Rose?

Indications are that former West Indies fast-bowler, Franklyn Rose, will not play for Jamaica again this Carib Beer season. And his career as a Jamaica cricketer may well be at an end.

Rose was not considered for the just-ended fourth round game against West Indies 'B' at Kaiser Sports Club here. He was suffering from a painful and swollen right elbow, strained on the last day of the drawn game against Barbados in that country last week.

But Jamaica captain, Robert Samuels, told journalists that he had not heard from Rose since the team's return from Barbados.

Asked whether the 31 year-old Rose, who played 19 Tests for the West Indies, capturing 53 wickets, would be considered for the game against Guyana in that country starting on Friday, Samuels said: "I do not think so. . we haven't heard from Franklyn since we've been back from Barbados . and I think that has thrown us off a little bit. We haven't heard from him so that won't sit well with the selectors ."

A cautious Samuels added that, "I don't know if over the days we have been playing here he has called (telephoned) but before the game we hadn't heard from him ." Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) sources say Rose failed to turn up for scheduled appointments with the team physiotherapist.

Asked whether this could mean the end of Rose' career for Jamaica, Samuels said in a virtual whisper, "I don't know, probably he has retired. I don't know."

Rose, considered by many one of the more talented West Indian fastbowlers of recent years, played his last Test for the West Indies in 2000 in England. He had made a sensational debut against India in 1997, taking 6-100 at Sabina Park and seven wickets all told in the game.

But after the 2000 tour of England Rose appeared to lose the favour and confidence of the regional selectors.

He missed out on cricket for Jamaica last year because of a combination of contractual obligations in South Africa and injury, but was recalled this year in what was seen as a last major effort to reclaim his place in the WI team.

After a poor opening game in Anguilla against the Leeward islands, however, he was dropped by the selectors for the follow-up game against the Windward Islands at Sabina Park, only to be recalled for the third round game in Barbados, where he also bowled badly.

* SOURCE: Jamaica Observer.