Dwayne Smith Out with Finger Injury

The nasty injury bug has struck the West Indies again, just days before the start of the first test against England in Jamaica.

CaribbeanCricket.com correspondent Michelle McDonald reports that West Indies middle order batsman Dwayne Smith suffered a dislocation of the right ring finger during catching practice and will definitely miss the opening Test match.

The 21-year-old Smith, who scored a century on debut in South Africa, suffered the dislocation to the top joint of the finger, team manager Ricky Skerritt confirmed.

The injury is totally unrelated to the finger injury that the Barbadian right-hander dealt with during the tailend of the South Africa tour.

There was no immediate word on when Smith is expected back.

With Smith out of contention, hard-hitting right-hander Ricardo Powell or left-hander Ryan Hinds could find a place in the batting line-up for the first Test.

The West Indies will pick the final eleven from the following 12 players:

Brian Lara (captain)
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Chris Gayle
Devon Smith
Shiv Chanderpaul
Ricardo Powell
Ryan Hinds
Ridley Jacobs
Tino Best
Adam Sanford
Corey Collymore
Fidel Edwards