May 05, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1428

LONDON, May 4: England captain Michael Vaughan is likely to miss at least the first Test against the West Indies starting on May 17 after suffering a broken finger playing for Yorkshire against Hampshire.

Vaughan, who has missed his country's previous 15 Tests due to a catalogue of other injuries, suffered an undisplaced fracture of his right middle finger after being struck by a delivery from Hampshire's Australian seamer Stuart Clark on Thursday.

The injury is likely to keep Vaughan out for three to four weeks, making him a near-certainty to miss out for the first Test at Lord's and also for the second Test on his home Headingley ground starting on May 25.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said they would maintain a watching brief.

“Vaughan will undergo further assessment ahead of the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s on May 17,” the ECB said.

Yorkshire physio Scott McAllister told the Yorkshire Post: “My first reaction was that it wasn't a serious problem, but results from the hospital show that he has suffered a fractured finger. It’s desperately bad luck for Michael after the succession of problems he’s had to contend with, and we will be monitoring his progress over the next few days.

“It looks like he might be out for three to four weeks, but it's too early to say with absolute certainty how long he will be out for.”

Vaughan recovered from a hamstring problem in time to play for England in their disappointing World Cup campaign where he once again failed to convince as an ODI batsman. Prior to that he was sidelined by a string of career-threatening knee injuries.

In a further blow for England, seam bowler Jon Lewis will undergo surgery on his left ankle next Thursday.

The Gloucestershire bowler, named in England's 25-strong performance squad this summer, has been advised to have the operation to remove bits of bone.

Following surgery Lewis will undergo intensive rehabilitation which, Gloucestershire hope, will allow the player to return within eight to 12 weeks.

“This seems like the best solution for Jon’s ankle, and hopefully will resolve the issues that have been causing him problems over the winter months,” said Gloucestershire physiotherapist Steve Griffin. “The rehabilitation process following the surgery is very important and we will not be rushing Jon back until he is completely ready.”—AFP