Mohamed is Replacement for Taylor

Trinidadian wrist spinner Dave Mohamed will join the West Indies squad in South Africa as replacement for the injured Jerome Taylor.

The 24-year-old Mohamed, a left-arm chinaman bowler, was picked to add some variety to the West Indies bowling attack against a South Africa team historically suspect against wrist-spin bowling, according to chief selector Viv Richards.

Mohamed, who was named in the West Indies squad during the home series against South Africa in 2001, has appeared in 16 first class games, picking up 53 wickets at 23.41 per. He is considered the best of the specialist spinners in the Caribbean, ahead of other contenders like Gareth Breese.

"We're back-tracking from six quicks to a wrist spinner in Dave Mohammed as replacement. This, especially after [Dinanath] Ramnarine's successes against them," Richards explained. Ramnarine, who was placed on stand-by along with Breese, was not considered because of his retirement announcement.

"Judging from the word coming out of South Africa, and having regard for South Africa's vulnerability to wrist spinners, and having further regard for their [South Africa's] recent tour of Pakistan, it was felt among the selectors that a bit of variety would be needed," Richards added.

Mohamed's selection could put Omari Banks' place in jeopardy if Brian Lara opts for the wrist spinner in the Test matches.

If Mohamed makes his Test debut on this tour, he will become the first player from Princess Town in south Trinidad play in a Test match for the West Indies.