Uncapped paceman Brad Williams will join the Australian squad for the four-Test tour of the West Indies as a temporary replacement for Glenn McGrath, the Australian Cricket Board said on Thursday.

McGrath, 33, left Steve Waugh's team in London earlier this week and caught a flight back to Sydney to be with his wife Jane, who has cancer.

"Jane McGrath has been diagnosed with a secondary cancer infection in her hip. All indications are that with treatment, she will have a full recovery," the ACB said in a statement.

She has previously battled breast cancer.

The uncertainty over the leading fast bowler's availability meant the ACB had to make a quick decision on a replacement player, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

"It is an unfortunate situation confronting the McGrath family and it was important for Glenn to return home to be with his wife Jane.

"We will talk to Glenn over the weekend to ascertain his position and see how everything is progressing.

"While we expect he will be able to return to the West Indies, we needed to make an urgent decision about a replacement player after consulting with team management.

"With Damien Martyn joining the squad later in the tour and Jason Gillespie's recent recovery from a heel problem, we felt it was necessary to call in another player to boost the bowling stocks," he said.

Australia's frontline attack of McGrath, Gillespie, Brett Lee and leg-spinner Shane Warne could now be at one-quarter strength for at least the first of the four Tests.

Warne had received a 12-month doping suspension in February and batsman Martyn is being treated in Perth for a broken finger.

Gillespie only returned to bowling in the Adelaide nets last week.

McGrath, who has taken 422 wickets in 91 Tests, was expected to be Australia's key weapon in dismissing West Indies captain Brian Lara cheaply.

Williams, 28, is a fiery quick from Western Australia who has played six one-day internationals.

Williams said: "Obviously I'm pleased to be given the chance to head across to the West Indies and will do my best to help Australia, but certainly our thoughts are with the McGraths at the moment."