Bishop's tale doesn't halt Collymore return to internationals

Bishop's tale doesn't halt Collymore return to internationals

BRIDGETOWN, MAY 13: Ignoring the evidence providedby Ian Bishop over the last five years, the West Indies selection panel gambled and named Corey Collymore in their squad of 16 for this summer's visit to England.

``I am feeling okay at the moment and I have been training and practising hard and doing some fine-tuning in the gym,'' Collymore told 1Starcom Network

in a radio interview.

``I have just had to make a minor change in where I am placing my foot, but I adjusted it quite quickly and it should be alright,'' he added.

Many people felt Bishop was hurried back into international cricket too quickly after he was afflicted by stress fractures in his lower back and was out of the game for two years between 1994 and 1996.

Mike Findlay, chairman of the West Indies selection panel, revealed to a news conference on Thursday, however, that Collymore's selection is subject to fitness.

``On April 21 this year, the doctor who has been in charge of Collymore's rehabilitation determined that the young fast bowler was ready to be tested in a match situation to fully assess the extent of his recovery,'' he said.

Findlay explained this was the reason for Collymore's selection to the A-Team.

``Arrangement are being made for him to be examined by the doctor following the match to determine his full recovery and readiness for the rigours of the tour of England,'' Collymore said.

It's the second time Collymore has been stricken with stress fractures of his lower back.

Three years ago, the problem first surfaced and delayed his entry into the Barbados cricket team and First-Class cricket.

Declared fit early in 1998, he gained a contract playing in the English Leagues and returned home later that year to grab 35 wickets in six matches for his domestic club, Cable et Wireless BET.

Affectionately called ``Screw,'' Collymore was virtually fast-tracked into the Barbados side for last year's West Indies First-Class Championship

His 29 wickets at 15.37 apiece, was an integral part in the National side's 16th triumph in the regional competition and earned him a place in the squad for the series against Australia.

Collymore was kept out by left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins, his close pal and next-door neighbour, until the last Test at the Recreation Ground in Antigua, where he bowled with pace and hostility, if not with success.

``We are concerned about Corey's injury and we do not want him to be sidelined permanently,'' Findlay remarked.

``This young man has so much talent that we think we need to capitalise on it and hence his selection to tour England.''