BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – West Indies started a training camp here in sweltering heat yesterday at Kensington Oval ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The squad of players underwent a rigorous fitness routine, and were then carried through an intense period of fielding drills under the supervision of Barbadian coaches Hendy Springer, Wendell Coppin, and Roddy Estwick.

The squad has been weakened by the absence of a number of regular players with the West Indies Cricket Board choosing not to pick the players that revolted during the recent home series against Bangladesh.

They have suffered a further setback, following media reports from Jamaica which indicated that Daren Powell is now a doubtful starter.

The fast bowler has apparently aggravated a groin injury, and could be sidelined for the next four to six weeks.

The training camp is also the first opportunity for the players to work with interim head coach David Williams, after the WICB inexplicably fired previous head coach John Dyson over a contractual row.

West Indies, under the leadership of Floyd Reifer, will leave on Friday for South Africa, where the Champions Trophy will be contested, and will continue their build-up there ahead of the start of the competition on September 22.

West Indies have been drawn in Group-A of the competition with defending champions Australia, Twenty20 World champions Pakistan, and India.

Their opening match is on September 26 against the Aussies at the Wanderers.