LEICESTER (United Kingdom), May 31: Fast bowler Kemar Roach has been ruled out of the remainder of the West Indies' tour of the United Kingdom team West Indies Cricket Board sources said on Wednesday.

Roach has been sidelined with shin muscle soreness and will return home to Barbados to allow this to heal before starting a bowling programme again.

West Indies team physiotherapist C.J. Clark said Roach's workload has led to muscle soreness due to the repeated strain of bowling at high velocities.

“Kemar has been carrying this soreness for the last two matches, and in view of our upcoming schedule, we would like him to have the time to recover and prevent the onset of more serious injury,” said Clark.

“It is always important to balance workload with the body's ability to repair, and I think it judicious to protect Kemar at this time.”

West Indies later announced they have drafted in spinner Sunil Narine, to date uncapped at Test level.

The 24-year-old Narine has bagged 14 wickets in eight one-dayers and also tasted Indian Premier League success with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Roach has been West Indies' most effective bowler in the two Tests played in England, taking eight wickets at 34.25 apiece.

But he did not travel with the rest of the squad on Wednesday to Leicester, where West Indies face Leicestershire in a two-day, tour match at Grace Road, starting on Saturday. Instead, he returned to the UK capital of London and departed for home.

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said Roach was a major loss, but the decision was taken in the best interest of the fast bowler. —AFP