Mark Waugh suffers hand injury

Australia veteran batsman Mark Waugh's preparations for the upcoming three-Test home series against New Zealand began badly when he split the webbing in his right hand on Wednesday while fielding in slips.

Waugh, 36, left the field immediately after the blow on the first day of the four-day Australian interstate match between New South Wales (NSW) and Tasmania.

A NSW official said Waugh was taken to a Sydney hospital where he had two stitches inserted between the little and ring fingers on his right hand.

He returned to Sydney Cricket Ground to watch the rest of the day's play and will bat in NSW's first innings.

Tasmania state were 144 for none after 38 overs with Jamie Cox on 78 and Dene Hills on 64.

Waugh's career tally of 161 catches in Test matches is a world record for a non-wicketkeeper.

He dropped Hills at seven at second slip with the score at 24 for none.

In 116 Tests he has made 20 centuries and averaged 42.92.

Waugh's twin brother Steve, the Australian captain who averaged 107 in Tests against England this summer, is unavailable for the match against Tasmania because of blood clot in his left leg.

The twins are expected to play in the first Test against New Zealand starting in Brisbane on November 8.

Mail Cricket Editor