Cricket Australia media release:

Cricket Australia today advised that Australian captain Ricky Ponting will return to Australia from the West Indies tonight.

Ponting, who missed today's one-day match against the West Indies at St Kitts, was unlikely to be available to play in Sunday's final one-day match and therefore the decision was made for him to return as soon as possible.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist Justin Steer said Ponting would take the opportunity to return home: "Ricky has a tendon injury in his right wrist and he will be flying home to see a specialist in Melbourne.

"Given his unavailability for the last match of the series we see this as a good opportunity to have him see the specialist at his earliest convenience."

Michael Clarke will take over from Ponting as captain of the Australian team for the remainder of the tour while Mike Hussey will be his deputy.

Australia will play one more match on this VB Tour of the West Indies, a one-day match on Sunday in St Kitts.