Sydney: Batsman Damien Martyn will miss the start of Australia's cricket tour of the West Indies because of a finger injury, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said on Saturday.

Martyn fractured his right index finger while fielding during the World Cup tournament in southern Africa.

When the rest of the team flies out to the Caribbean on Monday he will remain in Perth to undergo further scans and treatment. Following a review of the injury, the ACB said a decision would be made about his ability to take part in the tour.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said although Martyn's finger had responded well to treatment in South Africa during the World Cup, further therapy was needed for it to regain full movement. "He will be reviewed by a hand specialist in Perth next week, after which we will have a clearer picture as to his availability for the remainder of the tour," Alcott said in the ACB statement.

Martyn played in the World Cup final with the help of painkillers and scored 88 not out off 84 balls as he and Ricky Ponting put on a record, unbeaten stand of 234.

Martyn said in the statement that he didn't want to do any long-term damage to the finger. "I'm naturally disappointed that I won't be on the plane to the West Indies, but it's important that I allow the treatment to take its course and get things right for good.