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by Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Kandy

KANDY, Tuesday - On the eve of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka starting at the Asgiriya International Stadium here tomorrow, West Indies were dealt a big blow when fast bowler Reon King ruled himself out of the series and possibly the rest of the tour.

King's decision to withdraw from the tour party when the West Indies are trying hard to salvage the three-Test series after losing at Galle, is certainly a big loss to Carl Hooper's men.

West Indies were banking on the return of King, one of their few experienced bowlers to make the final eleven. The 26-year-old Guyanese has taken 44 wickets (avg. 27.77) from 14 Tests for West Indies since making his debut against South Africa in 1998-99. But King who was ruled out of the first Test due to a suspected hernia informed the West Indies team management that he was feeling 'uncomfortable' at practice and that 'he was not certain of giving 100 percent' in performance.

"Reon does not feel that he can participate competitively 100 percent because of his fears of the medical situation and at this point I would say, if that's the case, we will have to find arrangements for Reon to leave the team," said West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt today.

Skerritt said the the West Indies Cricket Board president Wes Hall, the selectors and the team management have been involved and that it was important that they hear what King is saying and also what the doctor's are saying. "There is no doubt that Reon needs surgery. It's just a question of how urgently he needs it. Reon thinks he needs it urgently and I think we have to respect that opinion. He wants to get it done so that he can get on the road to recovery and start the path back to get back into the team," said Skerritt.

"The doctor said that he can manage the medical situation for at least a while, but the situation has deteriorated in Reon's mind. We are going to get Reon in touch with the doctor hopefully, later today by telephone to explain what his experiences have been since he saw him last Friday.

Following that it will be cleared for Reon to leave," he said.

Skerritt said the players want to support Reon and understand that when it comes to medical situations ultimately, it depends on how the player feels about it.

"Reon is the one who is experiencing discomfort and he is the one who has to decide whether he can produce 100 percent to the team or not. I don't think any of the players want a player in their team who is uncomfortable with his own performance," said Skerritt.

Skerritt said that the West Indies selectors had two fast bowler's on standby and it will be confirmed very shortly whom they will be sending to replace Reon with.

Team coach Roger Harper said: "To lose any player to injury is disappointing. Especially in the sort of team we have here, a fully fit Reon King would have been an asset".

"But we'll have to make do with what we've got and used it as best as capable of using them", he said.

Left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins is expected to fill King's place in the final line up which would have three fast bowlers and one spinner. Collins is likely to replace left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell.

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