ST JOHN’S (Antigua), Jan 26: West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has been forced out of the cricket World Cup in southern Africa with a knee injury, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said on Sunday.

All-rounder Ryan Hinds is to replace Samuels in the 15-man squad after a scan on Samuels’s left knee showed it would probably not stand up to the rigours of the tournament, the WICB said in a statement.

“While indicating that there was a possibility that Samuels could participate in the World Cup by protecting his knee in training, and doing only gentle exercises, it must be clear that he may break down at any time,” the statement said, quoting a report from the Board’s medical panel.

The report also recommended Samuels undergo surgery on the knee. The 22-year-old had an operation on the same knee last February, which kept him out of cricket for several months.

“We are disappointed at this turn of events and realise how much more disappointed Marlon himself must be,” selection committee chairman Viv Richards said in the statement.

“But, we believe that our decision to replace him for the World Cup is best both for the team at this time and, more importantly, in the interest of Marlon’s future career.”

Hinds was already here as one of five reserves with the squad for a two-week camp.—Reuters