Warne fractures finger, in doubt for Windies Tests

Shane Warne is in danger of missing the Test cricket series against the West Indies this summer after breaking a finger playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield here Thursday.

Australia's all-time leading wickettaker suffered a fractured dislocation of the ring finger on his right hand, his bowling hand, taking a catch at first slip to dismiss New South Wales Test batsman Mark Waugh.

After being taken to hosptial for an X-ray and then being assessed by the Australian team surgeon Greg Hoy, it was announced Warne would be sidelined for between six to eight weeks. That means he will certainly miss the first two Tests against the touring West Indians in late November and early December in Brisbane and Perth.

An eight-week absence would take him up to Christmas week with the final three Tests to be played in late December and early January. Warne would not speak late Thursday about his latest injury blow but is expected to hold a media conference on Friday.

"He's pretty disappointed as you could imagine," Victorian chairman of selectors Shaun Graf said. Warne's setback is likely to open the door for a Test return for NSW wrist-spinner Stuart MacGill.

So far, MacGill's international career has been based around Warne's fitness, with MacGill making his Test and one-day debuts only because of past injuries to Warne. In replacing the world's No.1 legspinner, MacGill has more than held his own. His 12 Tests have netted him 59 wickets at an average of 23.32 and his three one-dayers have seen him concede 3.5 runs per over in 30 overs, as well as taking six wickets at 17.50.

But his last Test was over 18 months ago in the West Indies, when he bowled in tandem with Warne. Warne's latest injury continued a sorry run for the champion legspinner, who has not only endured previous shoulder and finger operations but missed the recent ICC Cup in Kenya to undergo knee surgery following an English county season.

When Waugh, who top scored for the Blues with 53 in their day two stumps score of 185 for six, top-edged an attempted swipe off Colin Miller and the ball ballooned to Warne at first slip.

Warne surprisingly juggled the catch but did not appear to be hurt as he immediately joked with keeper Darren Berry about how close he had come to dropping such an easy chance. But Warne soon realised all was not right with his finger and left the field to go to hospital for an X-ray, which revealed the damage.

Mail Cricket Editor