CAPE TOWN, Feb 7: West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels will be allowed to play in the World Cup following his unexpected recovery from injury, tournament organisers said on Friday.

The 22-year-old, one of the brightest young batting talents in the Caribbean, was dropped from the 15-man squad two weeks ago after injuring his knee and replaced by Ryan Hinds.

But Samuels, initially ruled out for several months, underwent further examinations which showed the injury was much less serious that first thought, prompting West Indies to ask for permission to recall him.

Samuels was set to fly out to Cape Town from Kingston later on Friday and will be available for the opening match.—Reuters/AFP