PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP):
TWO WEST Indies players withdrew from the squad yesterday because of injury and illness, setting the team back for its second cricket Test against Australia this weekend.
Pacer Jermaine Lawson, the fastest of the Windies bowlers, withdrew after being diagnosed with chicken pox.
Lawson, whose Jamaican teammates Ricardo Powell and Darren Powell both suffered the illness a few weeks ago, will be replaced in the 14-man squad by the uncapped Barbadian paceman Tino Best.
Wicket-keeper Jacobs was pulled after straining a groin muscle in the opening Test, which the home team lost by nine wickets on Sunday in Guyana.
"Ridley will remain in Trinidad for a few days to start rehabilitative work before he returns to his native Antigua on Saturday," manager Ricky Skerritt said yesterday. He will be replaced by off-spinner Omari Banks.
The 21-year-old Best has been a leading wicket-taker, with 39 in the recently-completed Carib Beer regional series.
Meanwhile, doctors cleared vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and fellow Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul for future play.
Sarwan had fractured his middle finger on his left hand, while Chanderpaul was hit by a nasty blow on the left knee during the first Test.
The second Test of the four-Test Cable & Wireless series begins Saturday at Trinidad's Queen's Park Oval.
