Martyn ruled out for Aus-WI Test series

Australia have dropped Damien Martyn from their squad for the four-Test tour of the West Indies because he has failed to recover from a broken finger sustained at the World Cup.

The Australian Cricket Board released a statement on Friday saying the 31-year-old has received medical advice that his injury is getting worse.

The first Test starts in Guyana on April 10 and Martyn is expected to join the squad in the next few weeks after receiving treatment in Perth.

"We have been advised that the fracture in Damien's finger has shifted, meaning that it is not yet stable enough to withstand the rigours of international cricket," Australia team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said in the statement.

"The fracture will need protection for up to four weeks, after which we are hopeful the heeling process has taken hold and he is fit enough to be available for one-day international selection."

A replacement batsman will be named next week, the ACB said.

Martyn's injury further weakens captain Steve Waugh's Test squad.

Australia are also missing their two leading bowlers in Test history, paceman Glenn McGrath (422 wickets) and leg-spinner Shane Warne (491).

McGrath, 33, left the squad in London earlier this week and returned to Sydney on Thursday night to comfort his wife Jane, who has a cancer infection in her hip.

Uncapped Western Australia fast bowler Brad Williams, 28, is on his way to Guyana as a temporary replacement for McGrath.

Warne, also 33, was handed a 12-month doping suspension in February.

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie resumed bowling in the nets last week after a heel injury cut short his World Cup campaign. He has been selected for the series in the West Indies.