Injured Rampaul to return home

West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul will miss the two T20s against New Zealand due to a thumb injury and will return home. Rampaul picked up the injury during a training session before the fourth ODI in Nelson and didn't play the two remaining ODIs.

"Ravi has sustained a fracture and we are looking to allow optimal healing rather than pushing an early return," said West Indies physiotherapist CJ Clark. "He will return home to allow the fracture time to heal and will commence fitness training in preparation for the Regional Super50 Tournament, starting later this month in Trinidad."

There will be no replacement for Rampaul in the T20 squad, which has now been reduced to 14. He is the latest West Indies player to join the injury list that includes Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels. Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard were ruled out before the tour began.

The injury prone Rampaul made a return to the ODI squad during the tour of India, following an ankle injury. He didn't figure in the Test squad in New Zealand but played the ODIs in Auckland and Queenstown.

The first T20 gets underway in Auckland on Saturday.