Drakes to Leicester?

The West Indies Cricket Board have granted Leicestershire County Cricket Club permission to approach Vasbert Drakes with a view to signing him as a replacement for Virender Sehwag whose contract was cut short last week.

Drakes, 34 next week but for so long the forgotten man of West Indian cricket, emerged from World Cup 2003 with an enhanced reputation. He has had three previous spells playing the game in England, having been at Sussex, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire.

Sehwag's contract was cancelled by mutual consent following a scan which revealed a disc problem. The Indian star's average this season was a healthy 47.8, but he has now travelled home and will rest for at least six weeks.

Leicestershire's original choice to replace Sehwag was Matt Nicholson, but New South Wales refused permission for the Midland county to make an approach.

Posted by Eddie