Mark Waugh out of Mumbai match

Even though the sun is shining in all its prime here in Mumbai on Friday, the news is gloomy for the touring Australians.

They suffered an early setback before the start of the first Test, having tentatively lost the services of Mark Waugh owing to a finger injury in the second warmup game at the CCI in Mumbai.

Coach John Buchanan said in a press briefing that Waugh had split the webbing on his left hand between the fourth and fifth finger. He also said that Waugh had to be given three stitches on the wound. He ruled out the possibility of Waugh batting in the warmup game against Mumbai.

He said physiotherapist Errol Alcott will examine Waugh again on Monday before the 35-year-old can be declared fit for the first Test. Buchanan added that it remained to be seen how well the wound heals and whether Waugh was able to use his left hand freely to bat and field. He ruled out the possibility that Waugh would have to meet any set physical standards and said he would just be tested on the comfort factor.

Mark Waugh injured his left hand while fielding in the slips in the match against Ranji champions Mumbai at the CCI on Thursday soon after lunch. He attempted to catch an edge that flew off the bat of Sairaj Bahutule off the bowling of medium pacer Damien Fleming.