Ryan Hinds gets his chance

One man's misfortune is another man's luck.

Barbadian Ryan Hinds is delighted to be in the West Indies team for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, but he has sympathy for the injured Marlon Samuels whom he has replaced.

"I'm very happy to be in the squad not what level I play at. I say tough luck to Marlon - that's beyond my control, and I wish him a speedy recovery," said Hinds, the Barbados vice-captain.

Samuels' plight was diagnosed when he went to Jamaica last Thursday for an MRI scan, after complaining of discomfort in the knee he had surgery on last February during the two-week training camp in Antigua.

The left-handed Barbadian all-rounder, who turns 22 on February 17, has a modest record of 93 runs (ave. 18.60) and six wickets in in his 11 One-Dayers.

He was was one of five reserves and has been training with the squad at the two-week preparatory camp in Antigua.

Hinds scored an unbeaten 34 and shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 116 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (86), as the Carl Hooper XI scored 257 for eight in 46.2 overs in reply to Ridley Jacobs XI's 252 for six off 50 overs in the second of two practice matches at the Stanford Ground Sunday night.

"I enjoyed my knock. It was important for me to spend time in the middle," Hinds said. "I have been working very hard. My form is coming on nicely."

He said he learnt of his call just before the game started and said his supportive family would "obviously feel happy" for him.

He is promising the Barbados public that he would make the best of the chance that has been presented.

"I'll just be looking forward to give a 110 per cent whenever I get the opportunity. I've got to wait for when the opportunity arises and back myself and believe in my ability. There is always pressure."

Without singling out anyone, he was gratified for the assistance he had received from those who assisted him in his formative years.

"I would just like to thank the people who helped when I was a youngster coming up. There are too many to thank so I would like to thank everyone," he said.

Hinds and the rest of the squad will leave from the Grantley Adams Airport for South Africa today. They open the tournament against South Africa at Cape Town on February 9.