TUFFERS_INJURED_21JAN94

Tufnell told to rest after recurrence of old injury By Brian Murgatroyd Phil Tufnell gave England their first injury scare of the Caribbean tour yesterday. The Middlesex left-armer complained of a sore left shoulder after net practice on Monday and was examined by team physio Dave Roberts, who referred him to an orthopaedic surgeon. The spinner was sent for an X-ray and given a cortisone injection yesterday morning. Roberts said: "The X-ray revealed there is no calcification in the tendon of the bowling shoulder, but it did show up chronic inflammation under the shoulder, the type lot of players get by playing day-in-day-out county cricket. The injection is a repeat of one he had for a similar problem two years ago." Despite the soreness, Roberts believes Tufnell could still be fit for the opening game of the tour against Antigua, starting on Sunday. "Phil will have a couple of days' rest and then bowl on Friday," he said. "We'll see how he does then but, if everything goes to plan, he will have a few gentle throws on Sunday morning and could play on Sunday." Even though the problem is not thought serious, it still represents a setback for Tufnell, who is anxious to force his way back into the Test side after a disappointing 12 months. He endured a wretched tour of India and Sri Lanka last year and was dropped after two Tests of last summer's Ashes series. Roberts said he was delighted at the progress being made by Robin Smith, who i s continuing his recovery following surgery on his damaged right shoulder last September. "This week has been the first time he has thrown overarm for two years and he can only get better and better," he said. "He won't be throwing what you might call 'normally' until the middle of the English summer, but he's on his way - the best news we could have." Chris Middleton, for eight years one of county cricket's most high-profile chairmen, has been voted off the Derbyshire committee. Middleton resigned the chair last September amid a welter of personal criticism following a financial crisis which went close to bankrupting the club. He offered himself for re-election to the committee, however, but finished seventh of 11 candidates for six places. One of the seats was claimed by Elizabeth Hill, who becomes the first woman to serve on Derbyshire's general committee. (Thanks: The Daily Telegraph) =====> MORE Left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell is expected to be fit for England's first match of the Caribbean tour after X-rays revealed no serious damage to the inflamed shoulder of his bowling arm. It is a recurrence of a wear and tear injury suffered two years ago that will prevent him throwing, but a cortisone injection should allow him to face an Antigua XI on Sunday.