LONDON, June 21: The West Indies have hit an injury crisis ahead of the ODI series against England. The struggling tourists were able to field only five of their 14-strong one-day squad for the warm-up game with England Lions at New Road.

They were forced to draft in five players who are playing either league cricket or at university in this country to enable them to take part in the game.

Of the players set to play in the forthcoming Twenty-20 and limited overs internationals against England only captain Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Runako Morton, Denesh Ramdin and Daren Powell were in action.

The quintet drafted in are Kirk Edwards, Mali Richards, Esuan Crandon, Andrew Richardson and Ruel Braithwaite.—AFP