Injured Edwards named in squad

West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who suffered a back injury before the Bangladesh Test series, has been included in a provisional squad for the Champions Trophy.

Daren Powell, the fast bowler who reportedly turned down the chance to be part of the West Indies side after Chris Gayle and Co. decided to strike, has also been included in the 30-man pool. Other players with international experience in the squad who weren't part of the Bangladesh series include opener Devon Smith and upcoming youngster Andre Fletcher.

However, Cricinfo has learned that some of the players who boycotted the Bangladesh series have allowed their names to be included in the squad on the understanding they will only play if the dispute is resolved.

Most of the squad were part of a second-string West Indian side which sank to a 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, including captain Floyd Reifer.

The West Indies board was forced to name a weakened side due to its ongoing dispute with the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), with neither willing to back down despite widespread criticism of both sides. The impasse, mainly over players' contracts, has continued for more than two weeks and WIPA has asked the respective national governments to step in.

The board's naming of a squad without most of the leading players for the Champions Trophy in September is another indication that there might not be an early resolution to the dispute.

West Indies squad
1 Ryan Austin, 2 Christopher Barnwell, 3 David Bernard, 4 Tino Best, 5 Royston Crandon, 6 Romel Currency, 7 Travis Dowlin, 8 Fidel Edwards, 9 Rayad Emrit, 10 Andre Fletcher, 11 Ryan Hinds, 12 Leon Johnson, 13 Anthony Martin, 14 Kevin McClean, 15 Nikita Miller, 16 Nelon Pascal, 17 Brenton Parchment, 18 Omar Phillips, 19 Daren Powell, 20 Kieran Powell, 21 Floyd Reifer, 22 Dale Richards, 23 Kemar Roach, 24 Darren Sammy, 25 Shane Shillingford, 26 Devon Smith, 27 Kevin Stoute, 28 Devon Thomas, 29 Gavin Tonge, 30 Chadwick Walton