Mark Waugh injured, unlikely to bat till first Test

Mark Waugh ©AFP

The Australian team suffered an early setback here in Mumbai during the second warmup game against the Ranji trophy champions Mumbai at the CCI. Australian coach John Buchanan said at the press briefing after the first day's play that Mark Waugh would not be able to bat on the second day of the three day warmup match at Mumbai.

Waugh injured his hand while attempting to take a catch off the bowling off mediumpacer Damien Fleming. The webbing between his fourth and fifth fingers has torn and he has had three stitches on his left hand. The coach said that the physiotherapist Erroll Alcott has asked Waugh to allow the wound to heal for a day at least. Waugh will be examined again tomorrow. Alcott added that it would be unlikely that he would get to bat till the first Test in Mumbai.

On the proceedings of the day, the Australian coach said that he was disappointed not to have bowled out the Mumbai side but there was also a good side to it. He said it served as a longer outing for the bowlers to spend time in the middle. He added that the bowlers would get an opportunity to get used to the Indian conditions and it would help in the forthcoming Tests.

The Mumbai Coach addressed the press with his views on the performance of the hosts. He said that he was disappointed the way the top order batsmen played, and he mentioned that they were dismissed on rash shots. He added that he was pleased to see Sameer Dighe and Ramesh Powar play valuable innings.