Andy Flower fractures his finger

Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe Test batsman now with Essex, has fractured his finger while playing for South Australia.

Flower sustained the injury towards the end of December in a Pura Cup match against Queensland. It is hoped that he will be able to return in the match against Victoria on January 23.

He had just been coming into some form before his injury with scores of 82 and 56 against Queensland. However, in the return fixture, he picked up his finger injury during an innings-defeat.

Flower will be returning to Chelmsford in 2004 for his third season with Essex, and he is now an EU-qualified player, meaning Scott Brant and Danish Kaneria will play as the two overseas players.