Niall O'Brien postpones finger surgery

Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien has decided to postpone surgery on a fractured finger and as a result will be available to play the ODI against Australia in Dublin on June 17.

X-rays revealed that O'Brien, who was suffering from pain and inflammation in his left index finger, had sustained a break and would need an operation. However, after advice from his doctors at his county Northamptonshire, he had a cortisone injection so that he would be able to play Australia.

"I've had a cortisone injection in the joint and hopefully that will take away some of the swelling and pain," O'Brien told PA Sport. "I'll play in the T20 games coming up and the ODI against Australia. I'll not play any part in the four-day games coming up, and we'll reassess the damage after the Twenty20 campaign finishes."

O'Brien is likely to have the operation in time to ensure his participation in the 2011 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. "It's likely that an operation will be required at some stage, but it's trying to decide just when to do it," he said. "I'll have to decide with Northants and Ireland just when would be the best time to do it."