Deonarine replaces Fudadin in Windies Test squad

St. John's (Antigua), Dec 21 (IANS/CMC) In-form Guyana left-hander Narsingh Deonarine has been named as a repalcement for Assad Fudadin for the West Indies tour of South Africa.

Fudadin, also a left-hander, fractured a finger during warm-ups on the opening day of the first Test at Centurion Wednesday and was ruled out of the series, reports CMC.

He was forced to undergo surgery that same day.

Deonarine has been rewarded for his good form in the early rounds of the WICB Professional Cricket League where he has compiled 306 runs at an average of 61, with two centuries.

The 31-year-old last played for the West Indies a year ago on the dismal tour of New Zealand when the Caribbean outfit lost heavily.

Overall, he has played 18 Tests at an average of nearly 26, with five half-centuries.

Ironically, Fudadin was a replacement for Darren Bravo, who pulled out of the tour because of personal reasons.

--IANS/CMC

sr/vt