Chanders Out; Gayle Back for 3rd Test

The injury bug has again forced West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul out of Test cricket.

Just days after batting with a runner to score a brilliant century in a losing cause, Chanderpaul was ruled out of Friday's second Test with a thigh strain. Opener Chris Gayle has been passed fit and was named in the 12-man squad along with Corey Collymore and newcomers Dwayne Smith and Dave Mohamed.

The Chanderpaul injury is a serious blow to the West Indies hopes to winning (or even drawing) the third Test against a superior South African side. In the first two Tests, Chanderpaul has scored 217 runs, behind only captain Brian Lara. He is averaging 54.25 on tour.

In recent years, the Guyanese left-hander has missed Test with knee, heel, thigh and finger injuries.

Gayle, who missed the majority of the first two Tests with a torn hamstring, will make his return at the top of the order alongside Wavell Hinds while Dwayne Smith will make his debut and replace Carlton Baugh.

There is an outside chance left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohamed will also make his debut. Sources say Collymore will undergo a fitness Test on the morning of the match to determine if he is match-ready. If Collymore is ruled unfit, Mohamed will play.

Struggling fast bowler Merv Dillon has been dropped.

12-MAN SQUAD FOR SECOND TEST
Brian Lara (captain)
Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice captain)
Chris Gayle
Wavell Hinds
Daren Ganga
Dwayne Smith
Ridley Jacobs
Vasbert Drakes
Adam Sanford
Dave Mohamed
Corey Collymore
Fidel Edwards