SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Former Barbados and West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards was once again found his fitness thrust under the microscope after limping out of Hampshire’s second County Championship game of the new season against Middlesex on day one here Friday.
The right-armer managed just five overs and one ball before pulling up with a hamstring injury. He spent the remainder of the day off the field.
Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, said he hoped Edwards made a speedy recovery.
“Fidel was just starting to bowl well. It’s certainly disappointing but hopefully he’s not out for too long,” he said.
The 35-year-old Edwards had suffered a hamstring strain against Cardiff MCCU two weeks ago when he was limited to just 10 balls in the second innings.
However, he was fit enough to open the season with a three-wicket haul in the first innings against Yorkshire, in a game Hampshire won by four wickets.
Edwards was restricted to just two games in the championship last season after breaking an ankle during a pre-game warm-up.
He had taken 45 wickets in 2015 to help Hampshire avoid the drop.
On Friday, Edwards started loosely but hit back for his only wicket when he produced one that squared up Nick Gubbins and had the left-hander caught by a diving Rilee Rossouw at second slip for 13.
Middlesex finished the day on 290 for six.
