Back problem sidelines Taylor

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor is set to miss the remainder of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Tournament clash between leaders Jamaica and second-place Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park, after picking up a back during yesterday's third and penultimate day.

The 26 year-old, who has been one of Jamaica's leading performers this season, picked up the injury while bowling his sixth over yesterday.

Taylor took one for 25 off 12 overs, including three maidens on Saturday's second day, and eventually finished with figures of one for 42 off 17.3 overs, including five maidens.

"He will not be bowling for the rest of the match," team manager Jimmy Adams told The Gleaner yesterday.

Dotors visit

"He had some issues with his back while on the field and we took the decision to take him to the doctor (Dr Akshai Mansingh) and have an assessment done. Since then he has been advised to do some physiotherapy treatment."

Taylor, who missed Jamaica's last two last matches due to the death of his grandmother, has had back problems in the past. However, after sitting out the last season, he returned to the Jamaica line-up in January at the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament.

He has since shown gradual improvement in pace and accuracy and was Jamaica's leading bowler with 14 wickets at 14.60 apiece, prior to him leaving the team three weeks ago.

He could also miss Jamaica's next match against England Lions, starting on Friday.

"As it relates to the next match, we will have to adopt a wait-and-see approach and see how he responds to treatment," said Adams.