Sarwan to miss Guyana duties due to back inujury

West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has withdrawn from Guyana's squad for the Regional Four Day Competition after suffering a back injury. Sarwan, who was expected to captain the squad, has been replaced by Rajendrika Chandrika, with left-hander Sewnarine Chattergoon expected to lead the side.

Sarwan's withdrawal is the second blow to Guyana after Shivnarine Chanderpaul withdrew earlier this week with a finger injury. The duo are Guyana's two most experienced batsmen with 206 Tests and nearly 15,000 Test runs between them. Worryingly, for West Indies, both are expected to travel to Australia later this month for a limited-overs tour.

Their absences have not only depleted the Guyana side ahead of their opening match of the tournament against Trinidad & Tobago in Antigua, but have put severe pressure on the likes of Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine and Chattergoon, as they look to improve on their last-placed finish the previous season.

The 13-man squad will leave for Antigua on Tuesday ahead of the historic day-night match at the Vivian Richards Stadium starting Friday. Guyana drew a bye for the first round of matches currently being played in Jamaica.