Kadeer Ali to miss the start of season

Kadeer Ali will miss the start of Worcestershire's season after fracturing his elbow. Ali, 21, will definitely not play any part in the club's two opening Championship games, against Kent and Sussex.

Tom Moody, the head coach, said, "It happened about three weeks ago and the specialist told us he would be out for four to five weeks." It is the latest injury blow for Worcestershire, who were promoted to Division One last season. Kabir Ali, Kadeer's cousin, is also sidelined for at least six weeks following surgery to repair a double hernia.