'I'm hoping to be fit for Saturday' says Ian Blackwell

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell remains optimistic that he will have recovered from his back injury in time to play in the vital day night match against Pakistan on Saturday.

When I asked him about the victory over Namibia he told me: "Sorry I can't tell you much about the game because I spent half of it at the hospital having an MRI scan on a spasm I had whilst batting."

He continued: "Conditions were difficult early on and to be fair they bowled really well too, and it was good for us to grind out a winning total of 272. `Banger' played well and was supported well by Alec Stewart and Paul Collingwood with everyone else chipping in with 20's."

Referring to his injury he said: "I felt a twinge whilst batting which got worse during the break. I took the field but could hardly run and in the teams interest I thought it was best to consult the physiotherapist."

"We went for a scan and the results were clear apart from two bulging discs which are caused through wear and tear, probably nothing to do with this spasm either."

He concluded: "I hope to wake up a feeling a lot better than I am now. We travel to Cape Town for the first of three Semi Finals and I'm hoping to be fit for Saturday but backs are funny things!"

No doubt all of `Blackies'fans here on the Somerset website will be wanting to wish him a speedy recovery and will hope to see him back in action for England on Saturday.