Noffke to return home

Queensland fast bowler Ashley Noffke is to return home from the Travelex Australian Tour of the UK 2001 after injuring his right ankle during the Vodafone Challenge Match against Sussex.

Noffke, 24, sprained his ankle and sustained ligament damage and bone bruising as he attempted to kick the ball onto the stumps during the first day of the match on Wednesday.

Noffke will fly back to Australia at the earliest opportunity and will undergo a complete diagnostic evaluation of the injury with a view to regaining full fitness in time for the start of the domestic season.

At this stage, a replacement player is unlikely to be sent for.

Noffke joined the tour in late June, replacing New South Wales left-armer Nathan Bracken, who flew home with a shoulder injury.

In addition to the match against Sussex, Noffke also played against Somerset and Hampshire, taking six wickets at 43.00 with a best performance of 3-66 against Hampshire. With the bat he scored 69 runs at 23.00 with a best of 28, also against Hampshire.

Ashley Noffke said: "It's a frustrating way for the tour to end but the trip has been a fantastic learning experience for me.

"Rubbing shoulders with the world-class players in the Australian dressing room has given me the chance to see how they prepare and I will take some valuable lessons away with me.

"The tour has given me some fantastic memories as well, like being part of the squad that retained the Ashes for a record seventh successive time. Experiencing things like that has made me hungry to get back, get fit and get in contention for Test and one-day international honours this summer."

Australia leads the five-match npower Test series 3-0 after victories at Edgbaston, Lord's and Trent Bridge.

The remaining matches in the series are at Headingley starting on 16 August and at The Oval beginning on 23 August.