Travel hitch stumps Windies opener

The West Indies will almost certainly be without opener Kraigg Braithwaite for the start of the three-test series against the New Zealand.

Brathwaite, a late replacement for injured Chris Gayle, was not in the country last night and a team source said he wasn't sure when he would arrive, making him a highly unlikely inclusion in the XI for tomorrow's first test.

Brathwaite, 21, who has played nine tests, was still waiting on a visa.

Coach Ottis Gibson said he was yet to choose between Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards to open the batting with Kieran Powell.

When asked which, he joked: "It will definitely be one of them."

But it appears it won't be Brathwaite. Edwards, who scored three and 25 in the side's tour match at Lincoln last week, looks sure to add to his nine tests.

The Barbodos Cricket Association website reported Brathwaite was still at home on Friday awaiting the processing of a New Zealand visa and an Australian transit visa.

They claim it is a New Zealand immigration issue, but a spokesperson for Immigration New Zealand told Fairfax Media Brathwaite had not even applied for a visa and was not in their system.
New Zealand Cricket have not been asked to step in.