GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) —Ramnaresh Sarwan has withdrawn from Guyana’s squad with a back injury, further depleting the side ahead of their opening match of the WICB Regional Four-Day, first-class season next weekend in Antigua.

The West Indies right-hander, who was expected to captain the squad, has now been replaced by Rajendrika Chandrika, with left-hander Sewnarine Chattergoon expected to lead the side.

Sarwan’s withdrawal is the second blow to Guyana after his Test teammate Shiv Chanderpaul withdrew earlier this week with a finger injury.

The duo are Guyana’s two most experienced batsmen with 206 Tests and nearly 15 000 Tests runs between them and are both expected to travel to Australia later this month on the Windies one-day tour.

Their absence leaves the squad to depend heavily on their fledgling Test batsmen Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine and Chattergoon.

The 13-man squad will leave on Tuesday for Antigua where they will meet Trinidad & Tobago in the historic day/night match at the Vivian Richards Stadium starting Friday.

Guyana drew a bye for the first round of matches currently being played in Jamaica.