West Indies bowler Joseph out of India tour with injury

West Indies suffered a major blow ahead of their tour of India on Friday when fast bowler Shamar Joseph was ruled out of the two-test series due to injury.

Uncapped fast bowling all-rounder Johann Layne would replace Joseph in the squad, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said in a statement.

"Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited-overs series," the statement read.

The board did not specify the nature of the injury suffered by the 26-year-old, who played in the final of the Caribbean Premier League on Sunday.

Joseph was hailed as a new pace sensation after his international debut in 2023-24 when he bowled West Indies to their first test victory in Australia in 27 years - despite playing with a bruised toe.

West Indies arrived in India on Wednesday ahead of the series beginning in Ahmedabad on 2 October.

The limited overs side face Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20s from 18 October to 1 November.