Wednesday 19 November 2014 13:17, UK
Darren Bravo will miss the West Indies' Test series against South Africa for personal reasons.
Bravo was named in the 15-man squad last week by the West Indies Cricket Board, which gave the players until Tuesday to sign their contracts for the three Tests against the Proteas.
Fourteen of the players signed their deals, as the WICB attempts to avoid a repeat of the events that saw the West Indies pull out midway through their recent tour to India following a disagreement over a contract signed by the WICB and the players' association (WIPA), but Bravo has opted out.
The WICB did not disclose the circumstances behind Bravo's absence, but the batsman had also asked the Trinidad & Tobago selectors not to consider him for the regional four-day competition which started last week.
"Darren Bravo wrote to chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd and requested not to be considered for the Test series due to personal reasons," said a statement on the WICB website. "A replacement player will subsequently be named.
"The WICB extends its best wishes to Bravo as he seeks to address his personal matters and looks forward to his return to the game."
Denesh Ramdin will lead the side, while opening batsman Chris Gayle returns from injury in an otherwise full-strength side as the Windies attempt to put the controversy in India behind them.
The three-match Test series starts at Centurion on December 17 and is followed by matches in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
