Slater breaks finger in training

New South Wales and Australian opener Michael Slater's hopes of a flying start to the new cricket season were dashed Tuesday when he suffered a broken finger during training.

Slater let out an agonising cry after copping a heavy blow while attempting a catch during an indoor training session, ahead of Wednesday's first-class game against Victoria, as rain lashed Melbourne for a second successive day.

An X-ray revealed a small chip in his finger with the injury serious enough for the Blues to have already called for a replacement.

New South Wales coach Steve Rixon said Slater had not definitely been ruled out.

"It is only a minor chip and we'll have to see how it pulls up tomorrow," Rixon said.

"It will be really be up to Michael and whether he feels he can cope batting with it."

Rixon however said the injury was a setback for the exuberant Slater, who was looking forward to his opening first-class innings of the season ahead of the five-Test home series against the West Indies, beginning late next month.

"It's all about building momentum for the whole season and Michael was really looking forward to this match," Rixon said.

However Melbourne's dismal weather may prove to be Slater's saviour as there was a chance the game would not get underway Wednesday, giving Slater an extra day to recover.

Even without Slater, the Blues still have a near national strength side with the Waugh brothers, the Lee brothers, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill and Michael Bevan all playing.

And while Victoria will be without former international pair of opening batsman Matthew Elliott (knee) and paceman Damien Fleming (broken finger), they will have all-rounder Ian Harvey, who has been cleared from a recent shoulder surgery. And champion leg spinner Shane Warne will be playing his first four-day match following recent knee surgery.

Mail Cricket Editor