Roach battles hamstring setback ahead of West Indies-Sri Lanka Test series

Veteran West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach is now in a fight against the clock to be ready for the Caribbean side's upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

The 37-year-old Barbadian has been sidelined for the remainder of the County Championship after picking up a hamstring problem while turning out for Durham. The injury struck on the opening day of the club's fixture against Middlesex last Friday.

Roach had signed with Durham to cover the first half of the Championship campaign, a move that closed the curtain on his five-year stint with Surrey.

To fill the gap, Durham have summoned South African quick Duanne Olivier ahead of schedule. Olivier had been pencilled in to arrive only for the back end of the season, but the club has accelerated his start following the loss of Roach.

The seasoned paceman will be hoping to regain full fitness before the West Indies host Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series in Antigua late next month. The opening contest is set for June 25, with the second Test starting on July 3.