Marlon Samuels

ST JOHN'S, Antigua, (CMC):

West Indies coach John Dyson has been lamenting the loss of batsman Marlon Samuels for the upcoming series against Australia, after he was banned for breaking International Cricket Council (ICC) rules over links with bookmakers.

Samuels, 27, was slapped with a two-year ban last week after the West Indies Cricket Board's disciplinary committee found him guilty by "majority opinion" of violating the ICC Rules of Conduct 4 (ix) in that he "received money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute."

Stylish right-hander

Dyson, who declined giving an opinion on the ruling that suspends Samuels from all forms of cricket, said the stylish right-hander's presence in the middle order will be missed.

"I think Marlon over the past five or six months has played some very, very good cricket for us and I was hoping for the team's sake and for Marlon's sake that against the Australians, he would continue to play very good cricket," said Australian Dyson.

"I think the Australians were probably more suited for Marlon's game than the Sri Lankan attack and it is of great sadness (that) we won't have him," he added.

Good matches

Samuels enjoyed a good series against South Africa towards the end of last year and earlier this year, scoring 314 runs with one century at an average of 52.33.

His form dipped against Sri Lanka in the two-Test series but he showed a return to form in the one-day internationals (ODI).

Samuels, a Test debutant at 19 in 2000 against Australia, has played 29 matches and 107 ODI.

The three-Test series between Australia and West Indies starts on Thursday in Jamaica.