Sachin pulls out of Windies tour, arm still weak

Mumbai, May 23 (UNI) Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar today pulled out of Indian cricket team's tour of the West Indies after skipping the fitness test, citing weakness in his operated arm.

His withdrawal comes a day before the selectors sit down to choose the Test team for the four-match series starting June 2.

''I am going to London to meet my doctor for further treatment and I have told the board that I won't be able to go to West Indies,'' Tendulkar told reporters here.

When asked for how long the treatment will continue, Tendulkar said, ''It is difficult to say right now as to how long it will take for me to come back to international cricket. I leave it to the doctors who are treating me to guide me in the right direction.'' The doctors would be in touch with the board, he added.

The batting maestro backed out of the scheduled fitness test today and said his arm was still weak -- a month after it was operated in London by Dr Andrew wallace.

Tendulkar will leave for London tonight to consult Dr Wallace.

''Andrew Leipus has been with me all the time and all my sessions were monitored. There is weakness in my arm. I am not still ready to compete at the international level,'' the master blaster said.

Former India physiotherapist, Leipus, who was working with Tendulkar on the fitness regime, said that Tendulkar needed rest to recuperate and, therefore, he should not overexert himself with training.

''We are looking at the big picture of his career. Recovery is important. He can not just keep training -- he has to rest in order to get his body stronger,'' explained Leipus.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, who was also with Tendulkar, said that the Board was keen to have Tendulkar in the team as soon as possible and his rehabilitation process will be reviewed in two to three weeks time by the team management.

Meanwhile, opener Wasim Jaffer has been cleared by Leipus and Dr Anant Joshi and he would be available for selection, Shah said.

Earlier, Sachin, who did not go for the one-day leg of the tour, underwent several practice sessions on Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) grounds as well as MRF Cricket Academy, Chennai.

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