CHESTER-LE-STREET, England, CMC – Injury has cut short West Indies opening batsman Dale Richards’ tour of England.

The 32-year old Barbadian suffered a right shoulder injury and will return to the Caribbean today, the West Indies Cricket Board announced late yesterday.

“Richards suffered a right shoulder injury on tour and will depart England today to continue his recovery in Barbados,” the WICB said.

Richards, an attractive right-hander, failed to make any impressions in two three-day tour matches, scoring 15 against Leicestershire in the opening match and eight against Essex.

However, the injury will be a big disappointment for Richards, who is yet to play a Test match despite being call up on two different occasions to the West Indies team.

On England’s recent tour of the Caribbean, he was summoned ahead of the first Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica but was ruled out of selection because of a foot injury.

He missed the remainder of the Tests in that series and only returned for the three final One-Day Internationals of the five-match series.

He is yet to make his international debut.

While no replacement will be brought in for the final Test starting Thursday, West Indies selectors will replace Richards for the three-match NatWest series starting May 21.