West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has been ruled out of action for three weeks with a hand injury in a major blow to the hosts' preparations for next month's World Cup.

The 26-year-old vice-captain sustained a chipped bone in his right thumb after being hit by a bouncer from fast bowler Fidel Edwards in a domestic match on Monday.

"I am very disappointed. I was looking forward to preparing for the World Cup," Sarwan was quoted as saying on the West Indies Cricket Board Web site.

Sarwan had to return home midway through a tour of Pakistan last year with a foot injury which also ruled him out of last month's one-day series in India.