Injured Martyn ruled out

Australia have dropped Damien Martyn from their squad for the four-Test tour of the West Indies because the batsman has failed to recover from a broken finger sustained at the recent World Cup. Uncapped 22-year-old Michael Clarke from New South Wales was named on Friday as Martyn’s replacement and will travel to the West Indies during the weekend, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said on Friday.

Martyn, who has a Test average of 46.51 with five centuries, had received medical advice that his injury was growing worse rather than better, the ACB said in a statement. The first Test starts in Guyana on April 10 and the 31-year-old was expected to join the squad in the next few weeks after receiving further treatment in Perth. However, a hand specialist told the veteran of 33 Tests the fracture in his right index finger had shifted position, the ACB said.

“The fracture will need protection for up to four weeks, after which we are hopeful the healing process has taken hold and he is fit enough to be available for one-day international selection,” Australia team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said in the statement.