Cricket: Caddick to learn his fate today: West Indian Test players take it easy as England fast bowler prepares for the worst

ANDY CADDICK will learn today whether his shin injury means he has played his last match on England's tour of the West Indies. The Somerset fast bowler will have a bone scan of his right leg and, while the 25- year-old has not given up hope, he is preparing for the worst.

Caddick, who has shown excellent form on his first senior tour, suffered pain in his right leg during England's weekend victory against the Leeward Islands. This afternoon's X-rays will show whether it is caused by a stress fracture or simply internal bruising.

'I'm trying to be confident but I know what makes my body tick,' Caddick said yesterday. 'I know what a bad result will mean. Hopefully the scan will show nothing, but all I can do is keep my fingers crossed and try not to get too down about it.'

If the injury is just shin soreness, an occupational hazard for most pace bowlers, Caddick could still play in the first Test in Jamaica, starting on Saturday week; but a stress fracture would probably end Caddick's tour and mean that England have to find a replacement.

Caddick felt a 'niggle' in his leg during the early stages of the match against the Leewards. A combination of ice treatment and anti-inflammatory pills seemed to be controlling the injury, however, and the New Zealand-born player had taken a total of five wickets and scored a fine 36 by Saturday night. After bowling five overs on Sunday morning, however, he left the field and was taken to hospital for an X- ray that was inconclusive. 'I couldn't stand up,' he said.