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West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who won the second edition of the Indian Premier League with the Deccan Chargers, is hoping to earn himself a contract at this weekend's player auction after overcoming a nightmare 2010.
Edwards, 28, missed all of 2010 with a back injury sustained at the 2009 Champions League event with Deccan Chargers, but he returned to full fitness in November and believes he is bowling quicker than ever.
Edwards surprisingly was omitted from West Indies' 30-man World Cup squad after selectors went on recent form, but this shock decision may prove a boon for IPL franchises hoping to pick up an experienced, strike bowler -- and fresh.
His IPL highlights saw him dismiss Windies team-mate Dwayne Bravo, Jesse Ryder for a first-ball duck and he conceded just six runs from his four overs against Kolkata Knight Riders.
"I was obviously disappointed to miss so many games last year but maybe in a strange way the break has done me some good," Edwards said.
"I played a lot of cricket in the years beforehand and when you bowl over 90 miles per hour, day in and day out, the games can catch up with you.
"The Barbados physio and trainer Jackie King, who has known me all my career, said this week she has never seen me in such good shape so I'm excited about the cricket coming up," he said.
Edwards hopes to remain positive and wants to play the whole tournament this time round.
"I don't know if any of the franchises will go for me or what their plans are, but those kinds of issues are not in my hands.
"But I hope they will remember that I played a positive role in Deccan Chargers' title win in 2009.
"I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the event and was sorry to have to leave a couple of weeks early for West Indies' tour to England that summer.
"But the experience I gained from it will help me a great deal if I do get another opportunity, hopefully to play the whole tournament this time," he pacer said.
Edwards wants to make the most of the opportunity to get back in the West Indies colours.
"My big goal is to get back to where I was before my injury and lead the West Indies pace attack again in all three formats of the game. But the IPL is also important to me.
"The best players in the world are involved in it and I like to think I am one of the best and certainly quickest fast bowlers around so I do want to be involved in it - who wouldn't?
"I will wait and see what happens but I am encouraged that in practice games since I have been back I am feeling fresh, fit and bowling quick so the signs are good," he added.