Somerset releases McLean because of injury

TAUNTON, England – Former St. Vincent and West Indies fast bowler Nixon McLean has been released by English County Somerset after struggling with injuries for the early part of the season.

The 31-year-old Windward Islands player has suffered with thigh and hamstring problems and has played only eight matches.{{more}}

“Regretfully, continuing fitness problems have affected him,” Somerset’s director of cricket, Brian Rose said.

“The uncertainty of whether this situation would improve has led the club to make this decision.”

Rose added: “We were leading him back to fitness but then he broke down in the Scotland game.

“We felt it was unrealistic to get him back to full fitness quickly and it was mutually agreed he should go back home and recuperate properly. He was very good about it and we wish him well.”

Somerset has also struggled this season and are one from bottom in the four-day championship after winning just one match. They also have just three wins in nine matches in the Totesport Limited Overs tournament and are seventh in the standings.

The Vincentian-born McLean, who grabbed 65 wickets for Somerset in the 2003 season, returned to the country this year under the Kolpak rule having previously been an overseas player.

He has played 19 tests and 45 One Day Internationals for the West Indies with his most recent game coming in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.