Back Injury KOs Edwards

Already down in the dumps after Sunday's disastrous 10-wicket loss in the first Test against England, the West Indies will head into the Trinidad Test on Friday without one of its main bowling weapons.

According to information reaching CaribbeanCricket.com, fast bowler Fidel Edwards has been ruled out of the second Test with a back injury and there are fears in the West Indies camp that he could be lost for much longer.

Edwards left the field after bowling 19.3 overs in England first innings and complained of discomfort and stiffness in the lower left back region. West Indies team management quietly sent Edwards to Jamaica's University Hospital of the West Indies for an MRI on Saturday and the results confirmed that the fast bowler will need rest and treatment.

The plan was to compare the new MRI films with a previous scan done during the South Africa tour to figure out reason for the discomfort. The WICB is expected to issue a statement on Monday or Tuesday to provide an update on Edwards.

Edwards was one of the few bright spots in the West Indies bowling arsenal in the first Test, picking up 3-72, including the first three wickets -- Trescothick, Vaughan and Butcher.

The West Indies selectors will identify a replacement for Edwards, meaning one of Dwight Washington, Pedro Collins or Merv Dillon could find a spot in the team for Trinidad.

There was no word on the recovery of middle order batsman Dwayne Smith, who missed the first Test with a dislocated finger. Brian Lara and Corey Collymore are also nursing minor injuries.