Windies sweating on Roach injury

CENTURION, South Africa, CMC – West Indies have been left sweating on the fitness of frontline fast bowler Kemar Roach after he pulled up with an ankle injury during the first day of the opening Test against South Africa here yesterday.

Kemar Roach
Kemar Roach

The 26-year-old sustained an injury to his right ankle while running into bowl his 16th over, in the evening session with the hosts in command at SuperSport Park here.

Roach was treated on the field by physio CJ Clark and then taken to a medical facility in Pretoria, where he underwent a MRI scan. The results are supposed to be known later yesterday.

Team spokesman Philip Spooner said team management was hopeful Roach would be fit to participate in the second day’s play on Thursday.

Roach was the best bowler for the visitors on Wednesday, finishing with two for 52 as South Africa piled up 340 for three after being sent in.

Struggling at 57 for three just after the first hour, South Africa recovered through a record 283-run fourth wicket stand between AB de Villiers who hit 141 not out and captain Hashim Amla, who scored an unbeaten 133.