More surgery for frustrated Paine

Updated December 15, 2011 08:35:28

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine is set for another three to four-month spell on the sidelines after being booked in for surgery on his troublesome injured finger.

Cricket Australia (CA) has said in a statement that the Tasmanian's fractured index finger has taken much longer to recover than expected.

"I'm obviously disappointed with this latest setback," Paine said.

"I am hopeful that I can get the injury right and recover fully so that I can get back to playing cricket in the near future."

CA has confirmed Paine will go under the knife on Wednesday.

"Tim has been reviewed by specialists and CA medical staff. It is clear that the fracture has not healed as expected," said CA doctor Trefor James.

"The best course of action is for Tim to undergo further surgery.

"This will be performed today and it is expected that Tim will be unavailable for a further three to four months."

Victorian 'keeper Matthew Wade is now the clear back-up for the Test job, with incumbent Brad Haddin under increasing pressure to retain his spot after a disappointing performance in Hobart.

Paine was also set to be one the stars for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 14, 2011 11:25:51

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All-rounder Smith to have ankle surgery

Posted April 14, 2011 18:34:00

Young all-rounder Steve Smith will have surgery next week to fix an ankle injury which has bothered him throughout the Australian cricket season.

It means the 21-year-old, who made his international debut in all three forms of the game last year, is expected to miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) season with new franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

But the setback is not expected to keep him out of Australia's next tour, of Sri Lanka, which is almost four months away.

"Steve has had long-standing minor left ankle pain during the Australian summer," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

"Now is considered an opportune time to have surgery on the ankle.

"That will take place next week so he can adequately prepare for upcoming Australian cricket."

The leg spinner and middle-order batsman played in three Ashes Tests during the summer, as well as the Twenty20 and one-day series against England and the World Cup.

He was also part of the Australian team which completed a 3-0 clean sweep of its one-day series against Bangladesh with a win in Dhaka on Wednesday night.

- AAP

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