BRISBANE, Oct 29: Australian opening batsman Justin Langer will have a fitness examination ahead of next week’s opening cricket Test against the West Indies after suffering a fractured rib in a one-day match.

Langer sustained the injury while batting for Western Australia when he was hit in the ribcage by Victorian paceman Gerard Denton on Saturday.

He retired hurt and was taken to hospital for precautionary scans, which revealed a hair-line fracture.

Langer will travel to Brisbane to join the Australian squad as planned, and his progress will be monitored by team medical staff in the lead-up to Thursday’s Test.

Should the 34-year-old left-hander withdraw, the most likely replacement would be Langer’s state team-mate Mike Hussey.—AFP