Dwayne Bravo ruled out of World Cup

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	Dwayno Bravo was carried off the pitch after damaging his knee while fielding off his own bowling in the match against South Africa © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Dwayne Bravo Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: West Indies

West Indies' chances at the World Cup have been dealt a huge blow as their allrounder Dwayne Bravo will miss the rest of their campaign after been ruled out for a minimum of four weeks due to a knee injury he picked up in the match against South Africa on Thursday. The West Indies Cricket Board said an MRI scan on Bravo's left knee had revealed a sprained ligament and torn knee cartilage, and he would return home for further assessment.

The board have not yet named a replacement for Bravo, as they are in the process of applying to the ICC to call someone else in. Bravo would have been certain to miss the entire league phase of the tournament and may not have been fully rehabilitated by the knockout stage either, and West Indies have decided to replace him in their fifteen.

Bravo sustained the injury while fielding off his own bowling, during his third over in West Indies' game against South Africa. Attempting to change direction in his follow through and cut off a drive from Graeme Smith, he swivelled awkwardly and immediately fell to the ground, clutching his knee. He was led off the field, and took no further part in that match.

West Indies have now lost three players to injury in a week, with opener Adrian Barath and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh also forced to fly home before they had even played their first match. Bravo, though, will be the one West Indies miss the most, as he is the vice-captain of the side and an important ingredient in both their batting line-up and bowling attack.

"This is a blow for us. Dwayne is our vice-captain and one of the key members of our team," West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said. "He has been showing good form with the bat and batted well against South Africa on Thursday. He is also a livewire in the field and a reliable bowler. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he gets back on the field soon." Bravo had added a quick 40 before being run out on Thursday.

West Indies play their next match against the Netherlands, on Monday at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.