Franklin cleared to play for Glamorgan

James Franklin, the New Zealand fast bowler has been cleared to play for Glamorgan after New Zealand Cricket said that his knee injury did not require surgery.

"He would not benefit from an extended period of rest," a New Zealand Cricket spokesperson said, as quoted by BBC Sport. "Two specialists in New Zealand agree surgery is not currently required as there is no functional impairment."

Franklin had pulled out of his contract with the county after a knee-scan revealed that he required surgery for a torn cartilage.

In the recently concluded three-Test series in South Africa, Franklin scored his first international hundred and took 15 wickets. New Zealand lost the series 0-2.

Glamorgan's problems with signing overseas players this season are not just restricted to Franklin's injury woes. They have had to deal with losing Mathew Elliot, the former Australian opener, again to injury, while Mark Cosgrove, the South Australia left-hander, got called up for national duty. As for Michael Kasprowicz, Australian fast bowler, he withdrew from his contract to concentrate on making it to the Australian side for this winter's Ashes. News that Franklin's injury may not be serious enough to keep him out of play will, however, have the county officials breathe a sigh of relief.

Franklin's injury will be closely monitored and he will return to New Zealand if there is any further damage to the knee. New Zealand Cricket is yet to announce his date of arrival at Cardiff.

Meanwhile, his compatriot, Daniel Vettori, New Zealand's left-arm spinner has replaced Ashley Giles in the Warwickshire squad, and is set to play Yorkshire at Headingley this weekend.