FILE
Bravo ... left for Trinidad and Tobago to be with persons close to him who were ill.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CMC):

THE WEST Indies have been struck another blow ahead of their one-day international series against Pakistan as key all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been forced to return home early.

A release from Imran Khan, the team's communications officer, said yesterday Bravo left for Trinidad and Tobago on Friday evening to be with persons close to him who were sick.

"West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo sought and received the permission of the selectors to return home to be with persons close to him who are unwell," the release stated.

Replaced by Collymore

The 23-year old Bravo, who played a major part in the West Indies' recent Champions Trophy campaign in India, has been replaced by fast bowler Corey Collymore for the five-match one-day series.

"Collymore, who was part of the Test squad but not originally named in the West Indies one-day squad, travelled with the squad from Karachi to Islamabad for the start of the ODI series against Pakistan," the release continued.

Bravo's departure follows that of vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan who was forced out of the tour after sustaining a hairline fracture in his right foot, while batting on the last day of the final Test in Karachi.

Ian Bradshaw, Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Smith, who were called up from the Caribbean for the series, have joined the squad for the series which bowls off on Tuesday in Rawalpindi.