There had been some concern that the Lancashire batsman might have fractured his right index finger in the game against the Australian Cricket Academy at Mount Gambier, South Australia, at the weekend but tour manager David Graveney said''that a replacement would not be necessary.

``Gallian will almost certainly miss the Victoria game which is unfortunate for him but he will certainly be able to play later in the tour,'' said Graveney.

The hand had been examined during the game but Graveney felt it wise to have a second opinion when the side reached Melbourne yesterday. Gallian was seen by the specialist who treated Shane Warne but no fracture was discovered.

Gallian missed a Test last summer because of a finger injury and is having an equally unlucky time here. On the second day of the opening game he took a bad knock on the hand in fielding practice and had only just come back into the side in Mount Gambier when he was hit by a rising ball from the academy's fast bowler Don Nash.