Edwards given until last minute to prove fitness

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - West Indies will wait until the last minute before deciding whether or not to risk injured strike bowler Fidel Edwards in Friday's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Oval (1630GMT).

Team media officer Philip Spooner told a news conference on Thursday that Edwards was suffering from an irritation of a nerve root in his lower back.

"He won't bowl today but we are very optimistic that he will be available for tomorrow's match," he said. Spooner said West Indies could leave the decision until immediately before the game.

Edwards, the West Indies' fastest bowler, missed the second round win over England which put West Indies through to the semi-finals.

"He has been very good for us throughout the tournament," said captain Chris Gayle. "He's the sort of bowler who can actually win you games, he can get crucial wickets at crucial times."

West Indies have traditionally performed well at the Oval where they can usually count on a large contingent of enthusiastic supporters. Gayle struck 88 from 50 balls in the opening match of their campaign when they defeated Australia.

"It's a good wicket and a fast outfield and the environment has been really brilliant with the supporters," Gayle said.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, whose unbeaten team will be playing at the Oval for the first time in the competition, said more pace and bounce could assist his spinners and the batsmen.

"It seems a pretty even track with good bounce and it will stay consistent throughout," he said.