Jerome Taylor, the West Indies fast bowler, has been withdrawn from the A team tour to England this month as a precautionary measure. Omari Banks, the offspinner, has been called up as his replacement.
Bennett King, the coach of West Indies, explained that the decision was taken out of an abundance of caution: "Due to Taylor's history of injuries, and the amount of cricket to played from October to the World Cup, the West Indies Cricket Board has decided to go down the road of caution and ease his workload."
Taylor, 22, had a fine series against India recently. Though West Indies lost the Tests, Taylor proved an inspiration for the young pace brigade with key spells. In May 2003, Banks made history as the first player from the tiny Leeward island of Anguilla to play Test cricket for the West Indies. He has not represented the senior side since August of last year.
The 16-man A team is set to depart for England on July 17. The team will play nine matches, including a two-day fixture against the Pakistan Test team.
West Indies A squad: Sylvester Joseph (capt), Ryan Hinds (vice-capt), Devon Smith, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Runako Morton, Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Jason Mohammed, Darren Sammy, Patrick Browne (wk), Richard Kelly, Omari Banks, Daren Powell, Tino Best, Dave Mohammed and Andrew Richardson.