News of a bowling ban for all-rounder Marlon Samuels is the latest psychological blow for the West Indies touring side already depleted by injury.
Still reeling from their innings and 212-run loss to Australia in Hobart, it was a sullen handful of players who turned up to nets training at Bellerive on Monday.
The team had been expected to announce a replacement for injured paceman Shannon Gabriel, who will return to Trinidad after suffering a left ankle complaint while bowling on day one of the Test series opener.
But there was no update from the West Indies camp, nor any comment on the 12-month bowling ban handed to Samuels by the International Cricket Council overnight.
The 34-year-old had already been banned from bowling his quicker delivery in 2013 and his latest setback follows an assessment of his action in Brisbane after he was reported by umpires in the first Test defeat against Sri Lanka in Galle in October.
Samuels did not bowl during the Hobart Test.
His action is one of a number among Caribbean bowlers under suspicion and has prompted the West Indies Cricket Board to set up a review committee offering support and guidance to those under a spotlight.
As arguably the most experienced player in the West Indies line up, Samuels - who made nine and three in the two innings in Hobart - is expected to remain in the XI for the upcoming Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
Jomel Warrican and Jermaine Blackwood are able to fulfil slow-bowler duties in place of Samuels, but captain Jason Holder says the absence of Gabriel, who was clocked at more than 157km/h in Hobart, will hit hard.
"He's a big loss for us. Shannon brings pace and he brings aggression," the young captain said.
Already in the touring squad of 15, all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, older brother of opener Kraigg Brathwaite, is tipped to take Gabriel's spot in the XI, while a new player will fly in to Melbourne.
The tourists are expected to fly to Melbourne on Tuesday and have limited match practice before the Boxing Day Test, with a two-day game against a Victorian Invitation XI at Geelong, starting on Saturday.
