Brian Murphy abandons Sri Lankan tour after latest hand injury

Charlie Austin

January 3, 2002

Leg-spinner Brian Murphy has been forced out of Zimbabwe's tour of Sri Lanka after a sustaining a new hand injury.

Murphy only arrived in Sri Lanka two weeks ago after apparently recovered from a finger injury sustained in Bangladesh.

He was reinstated as captain having rejoined the side, but then dramatically stood down before the first Test on the grounds of poor form.

He had voiced hopes of returning later in the series, before revealing that he was suffering from soreness in his right palm, which he believed would prevent him from participating effectively in the Test matches.

His withdrawal from the side leaves Zimbabwe without a specialist spinner in conditions ideally suited to slow bowlers.

According to the team manager Babu Memam no replacement is currently being sought.

Acting captain Stuart Carlisle admitted that Murphy's withdrawal was a blow, especially for the third Test in Galle, which is normally a spinners' paradise.

"Sadly, it just hasn't suited us with Brian Murphy coming here," he said. "He was not fully fit and then sustained a different injury altogether.

He added: "I believe the Galle wicket can turn a hell of a lot and that could be a very important Test."

Murphy flew home on Wednesday after being unable to get an MRI scan in Colombo.

© Cricinfo

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