Knee injury forces Franklin to cancel Glamorgan deal

James Franklin, the New Zealand fast bowler, has pulled out of his contract with Glamorgan after a routine scan revealed a tear in his knee cartilage. The news has left Glamorgan's management frantically searching for an emergency overseas replacement 24 hours before Franklin was due in Wales.

According to the Western Mail, a Welsh daily, John Derrick, Glamorgan's director of cricket, spent much time on the phone yesterday assessing the bowling options open to the county side. He has reportedly been faxed a list of possible alternatives from Athletes One, a London-based cricket agent.

Glamorgan had been in a similar predicament in March after Michael Kasprowicz, the Australian fast bowler, withdrew his contract. The management has also sought a temporary replacement for Mark Cosgrove, the Australian batsman, away on Australia A duty from June 24 to July 26.

Franklin, 25, was part of New Zealand's 0-2 Test loss to South Africa recently. He took 15 wickets and scored his maiden hundred in the three-Test series.