Lawson, who failed a fitness test on the eve of the first Cable & Wireless One-day International against Australia at Kingston, first complained of soreness in his back during the Aussies’ second innings in the fourth and final Cable & Wireless Test Match at St. John’s and was limited to just six overs in that innings.

“Dr Akshai Mansingh of the West Indies Cricket Board’s medical panel examined Jermaine on his arrival in Jamaica and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed bulging discs in the lower back,” remarked Roger Brathwaite, Chief Executive Officer of the WICB.

“Jermaine will undergo physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Jamaica for a minimum of two weeks,” Brathwaite added.

Lawson, whose bowling action is now under review by the International Cricket Council after he was reported by umpires David Shepherd and Srinivasa Venkataraghavan during the fourth Test against Australia, will fly to Antigua and work with specialist bowling adviser Andy Roberts once he is free of pain and ready to resume bowling.

The sessions in Antigua will form part of the ICC’s prescribed six-week review process for bowlers whose actions are reported.

Roberts, the former West Indies fast bowler, will now conduct the sessions instead of Michael Holding, another former West Indies fast bowler, who will be unavailable due to television commentary commitments.

“The WICB will continue to correspond with the ICC during this period and submit their bowling review group report to them at the end of the process,” Brathwaite said.

“No doubt, the WICB is committed to giving Jermaine all the moral and physical support necessary to help him through this period and we look forward to his return in time for the two Cable & Wireless Test matches against Sri Lanka, starting in June.”