Munaf may miss first Test due to fitness issues

Munaf Patel is likely to miss the first of three Tests against West Indies here at Sabina Park due to fitness issues, according to reports.


Munaf Patel

Patel, who missed the last two one-day internationals, has been unavailable in the team's last two training sessions.

However, coach Duncan Fletcher has refused to shed light on the reason for Patel's absence. "I am not in a position to comment (on his injury) now. Patel should be fit for selection for the Test," the Zimbabwean-born coach told reporters at the completion of the ODI series.

There has been no clear message from the Indian camp on the fast bowler's fitness. Patel was hugely impressive in India's successful World Cup campaign as well as in the ODI series that saw him pick up eight wickets from three matches at an average of 18.

Meanwhile, Test arrivals from homeu00a0- Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni - got into the grind and were involved in a strenuous work-out on Friday. Patel last played a Test match at Wellington on the NZ tour in April 2009.