Injured Jeremy to stay with Windies squad

Young West Indies fast bowler Kerry Jeremy will remain with the touring squad in Australia despite having surgery Friday on a jaw broken in two places.

A West Indies spokesman said the decision for Jeremy to remain in the 16-man squad was based on the belief the 20-year-old from Antigua would recover quickly.

If all went well, he could be playing again in four weeks, the spokesman said.

The tour, embracing five Tests -- the first starting November 23 -- and a one-day series against Australia and Zimbabwe, continues until mid-February.

Jeremy was felled at Perth's WACA Ground Thursday by former Test express bowler Matthew Nicholson on the opening day of the tourists' initial first-class game of the tour, a four-day workout against Western Australia.

The right-hand batsman was unable to evade a vicious short delivery from Nicholson and was struck on the left side of the jaw as the ball rocketed under his helmet. He crashed to the turf, dazed and holding his jaw. Teammates ran on to the ground to help him. After a few minutes, he walked off the ground unaided, spitting blood as he went.

Jeremy had shown a steely resolve not exhibited by other West Indies batsmen as the side crashed for a first innings 132. He held firm for almost an hour and a half in making seven before the incident, which put him in hospital and ended the tourists' innings.

Mail Cricket Editor