SYDNEY, April 2: Fast bowler Glenn McGrath is to return home from Australia’s tour of the West Indies to be with his ill wife, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said on Wednesday.

The ACB said McGrath was granted leave to return home after he received medical advice about his wife, Jane, on Wednesday.

His wife had breast cancer four years ago.

The ACB said it could not yet say how long McGrath would be home and whether a replacement player would be required.

The board said more details were expected to be known within the next 48 hours.

McGrath, 33, was scheduled to leave London on Wednesday for Australia and said through the ACB that he would not be available to speak to the media upon his arrival in Sydney on Thursday.

McGrath is the second-highest Australian Test wicket-taker behind Shane Warne with 422 wickets in 91 Tests at 21.45.

Australia play four Tests and seven one-dayers against West Indies.—AFP