Pathan's shoulder injury not serious

Irfan Pathan should be fit to play against Glamorgan © Getty Images

Irfan Pathan has clarified that the shoulder injury he sustained last week is only a minor one, and that it won't keep him away from the bowling crease for very long. Pathan, who is playing for Middlesex in the English county season, hurt himself during a county championship match against Surrey and missed the one-day game against Northamptonshire on Sunday, but indicated that he would be back in action soon.

"It's not an injury because of my bowling," Pathan told The Indian Express. "It's just a catch in my shoulder I suffered while throwing the ball from the boundary. I'm just playing it safe, it's nothing more than an irritation. I bowled only six overs after that [in the game against Surrey] and didn't try too hard." Looking ahead to the match against Glamorgan which starts on June 15, Pathan said: "I'm really looking forward to bowling to Dada [Sourav Ganguly, Glamorgan's overseas import]."

Gregory Rosenbauer, the Middlesex physiotherapist, also confirmed that the injury was a minor one, and that it occurred due to Pathan's throwing technique. "He had some physiotherapy and could have played the Sunday one-dayer," Rosenbauer told the daily. "There's no problem with his bowling action, though I'm going to work on his throwing technique. When he throws, his arm comes lower than it normally should. If we can get his arm to come a bit higher, the problem should be sorted."

Pathan has had a modest start to his season, taking just five wickets in two first-class games at an average of 44.40, though he has had more success with the bat, scoring 122 runs at 61. He has had more success with the ball in the National League one-day competition, with his five wickets coming at 17.40 apiece.