Lawson doubtful for opening one-day match

KINGSTON: Fast bowl-er Jermaine Lawson, who set up West Indies’ Fourth Test win over Australia, is doubtful for the opening One-Day International today.

Left hand batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and first-choice wicket keeper Ridley Jacobs have already been ruled out of the seven-match series. Lawson took seven for 78 in Australia’s first innings in Antigua. West Indies scored the highest winning total ever of 418 for seven to avoid an unprecedented home whitewash. “Lawson tried to bowl a few deliveries in the nets but because of discomfort in the back he was released from bowling,” said West Indies coach Gus Logie. The Jamaican paceman, who was also reported to the International Cricket Council by the umpires because of doubts about his action, will undergo a further fitness test.

Chanderpaul will also miss the following series against Sri Lanka. He broke his middle finger catching Australia’s Adam Gilchrist in the Antigua Test before going on to score a vital 104. West Indies have yet to name a replacement for Chanderpaul, who usually moves up the order for One-Day Internationals. Jacobs will be replaced by Jamaican Carlton Baugh. Australia captain Ricky Ponting has shrugged off a virus complaint and is likely to play today. His team will have to make at least one change to their World Cup final winning team, as batsman Damien Martyn is out with a broken finger.