Injury puts Bravo out of England tour

LONDON— Injury has ruled West Indies batsman Darren Bravo out of the tour of England, dealing yet another blow to the Caribbean side ahead of today’s second One-Day International against England. The stylish batsman picked up a groin injury during the first One-Day International on Saturday in Southampton and has failed to recover. He was expected to return home yesterday. No replacement has been named. “Darren will undergo further medical investigation in T&T and a subsequent rehabilitation programme will be commenced following the review,” team physiotherapist CJ Clark said. The injury ends a disappointing tour for Bravo where he failed to live up to expectations, managing just 81 runs from five Test innings.

 

 

He excelled in warm-up tour matches, however, gathering half-centuries in both innings against England Lions last month and another against Leicestershire earlier this month. He hit an unbeaten century against Middlesex last week. Bravo is now the third player to bow out of the tour with injury after fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach were also forced to return home prematurely. Team management are also keeping a close eye on the fitness of all-rounder Andre Russell who was scheduled to undergo scans on his injured shoulder on Monday to determine the extent of the injury he picked up while batting on Saturday. Opener Chris Gayle, who missed the opening ODI because of a left leg injury, is also due for a scan but has made himself available for the second ODI. Neither Russell nor Gayle practiced at the Oval yesterday. (CMC)