ST JOHN’S (Antigua), July 19: West Indies Cricket Board has reworded its rule on eligibility for selection on West Indies senior teams to make it absolutely clear that players must be available for all matches in regional domestic competition immediately preceding or concurrent with selection for the particular tour or home series.

The rule now reads: “No player shall be eligible for selection to West Indies team unless he has made himself available for selection to his national team for all matches in regional domestic competition which immediately precedes or is concurrent with selection of West Indies team for the tour or home series which immediately follows such domestic competition.

“No player shall absent himself from any such match unless he has prior written approval of WICB.

“A selected player will lose his place on West Indies team, if, after his selection, but prior to conclusion of regional domestic competition, he makes himself unavailable for remaining match(es) of his national team.”

Meanwhile, WICB has agreed to implement an injury prevention system for fast bowlers under the age of 19 and specifically in junior WICB events.

In order to preserve longevity of young fast bowlers, WICB is encouraging all territorial boards, clubs and schools to adopt SPOT system in their competitions. The SPOT system is based on following principles: Screening bowlers at an early age for all risk factors including their posture; Physical preparation is essential; Over bowling or overuse will cause undue strain to be placed on the body; Technique emphasise correct use of bowling mechanics and force absorption.—PPI