ICC Technical Committee reinstate Marlon Samuels

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Technical Committee has confirmed that West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels can rejoin the squad, as requested by the West Indies Cricket Board.

Samuels had originally been replaced in the final 15 man squad by Ryan Hinds following a knee injury, but has now been permission to rejoin the team. Hinds will now return to the Caribbean.

The Technical Committee consulted with acting WICB chief executive Roger Braithwaite in reaching its decision yesterday afternoon, in Cape Town.

ICC General Manager-Cricket, David Richardson said: "The Committee was satisfied that there were reasonable grounds for the player to rejoin his squad. The factors taken into consideration included the principle that the ICC wants the best players to be available for this showcase tournament and that the competitive part of the event had not begun. Also, there had been no attempt to misuse the system and no other team will be disadvantaged by this decision. Having taken all of this into account, the ICC is pleased to allow him to return."

Samuels is due to arrive in Cape Town on Sunday morning, ahead of the West Indies opening match against host team South Africa.

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