EAST LONDON, South Africa, CMC – West Indies could be without versatile right-hander Lendl Simmons for the third One-Day International against South Africa at Buffalo Park today.
The 29-year-old, who can bat at the top of the order or in the middle, played in the final game of the Twenty20 series a week ago where he made a blistering 49 in Durban but has not featured since.
He injured the first finger on his right hand and is undergoing treatment.
Team media manager Philip Spooner explained that the Trinidadian had not been ruled out of the series and was being monitored on a daily basis by the team’s longstanding physio C.J Clark.
Simmons did not bat in the nets during yesterday’s training session but participated in the warm-ups and other training exercises.
“Lendl picked up an injury to his finger and is undergoing treatment. We believe he will make a full recovery and be available for selection during this series at some stage,” Spooner told CMC Sports.
“As everyone is aware we are also preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup, and he will feature in that tournament.”
If Simmons is unavailable it would be a blow to West Indies as left-hander Leon Johnson has struggled at number three with scores of nought at Kingsmead in the first match and one in the second match at the Wanderers. West Indies trail the Proteas 2-0 going into Wednesday’s match, where they need a win to stay alive in the five-match rubber. Both teams are using the series as part of their preparations for the 11th edition of the World Cup – to be played in Australia and New Zealand from February 14th to March 26th.
