ENGLAND will be without two first-choice batsmen for next Thursday's fifth Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge after Alec Stewart ruled himself out of selection yesterday.
The England vice-captain, who broke his right index finger for the third time in nine months during the third Test, had hoped to prove his fitness by playing for Surrey against Kent at Canterbury today.
But after another x-ray wicketkeeper-batsman Stewart decided to put back his return until August 21.
His withdrawal follows the announcement that Robin Smith is unlikely to play again this season after sustaining a fractured cheekbone during England's series-levelling win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Stewart hopes to be fit for the sixth and final Test of the series at the Oval.