Finger fracture puts Chanders out

KINGSTON: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who hit a Man of the Match century for the West Indies’ historic victory over Australia this week, will miss the one-day internationals series because of a fractured finger on his left hand, officials said yesterday.

The 28-year-old left-hander had surgery Wednesday night and has been advised to rest for the next six weeks, West Indies manager Ricky Skerritt said yesterday. No replacement has yet been named. Chanderpaul’s absence for the seven one-day matches beginning tomorrow  is a further setback for the home team, which also must do without experienced wicket-keeper/batsman Ridley Jacobs.

The 35-year-old Antiguan, who was part of the final Test 11 that beat Australia on Tuesday, has been given time to fully recover from a groin strain that ruled him out of the second and third tests. Rookie Carlton Baugh, 20, who replaced Jacobs for the Tests, will now make his one-day international debut in front of his fellow Jamaicans tomorrow.

The West Indies has been celebrating since its historic win over Australia on Tuesday, when it chased down the highest ever target of 418 by lunch to win by three wickets. Only twice had a team passed 400 to win a Test, and the last was India with a record 406 at Port-of-Spain 27 years ago. Australia, however, took the Test series 3-1 for the Frank Worrell Trophy.