Reeling from a loss in Perth, West Indies have had a string of injury concerns added to their woes ahead of the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, starting Thursday. Their latest concern is a left knee issue that fast bowler Jayden Seales is carrying into the D/N pink-ball encounter at the Adelaide Oval.
The 21-year-old has been under supervision of the tourists’ medical staff ever since picking up the injury in the back half of the first Test in Perth, where he didn’t bowl in the second innings until late in the Australian batting effort.
The youngster sent down 21 overs for figures of 1 for 95 in the first half but could only manage to deliver three overs in the second.
“He’s been having one or two niggles as well with his left knee,”
assistant coach Roddy Estwick was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au, as he alluded to the lengthy break that West Indies have had between Test assignments as a possible reason for Seales’ injury.
“He will be assessed as well, see where he is at and see if he will get through the game. The pitches in Australia are a lot harder. We’d had a massive break between Test matches and after this game the pitch was so slow and good for batting, it took a lot out of the bodies.”
Seales’ injury concern, if it doesn’t reside over the next 24 hours, could pave way to a maiden call-up for Marquino Mindley, who arrived in Adelaide only on Tuesday. Mindley isn’t the first in line as a replacement bowler, with the Calypso Kings taking Anderson Phillip on board for this trip.
But with the experienced Kemar Roach also carrying an injury cloud on his head, the net may have to be spread wider by the think-tank to field a bowling attack for the next Test.
Roach hobbled off the field on Day 4 in Perth with a hamstring strain and remains a serious concern despite managing to bat in the middle in the final hours of play on Day 5.
Kyle Mayers is also dealing with a shoulder injury but could be fine to bat for the visitors without taking any extensive load with the ball in hand after his medium-quicks have become an integral part of West Indies’ balance and plans.
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