Shane Warne underwent surgery this morning at 8.00am to correct the damage to his fractured right ring finger. The surgery, carried out at Victoria House Hospital and performed by Dr.Greg Hoy, revealed no surprises.

"It was pretty much what we expected. The surgery went according to plan, with the fracture requiring two screws" said VCA doctor Trefor James.

James said at this stage, he was unable to forecast a return for Warne to the bowling crease. "It really depends on how Shane's finger responds to the surgery. It will need to stay immobilised for approximately two to three weeks and after that it’s a matter of getting the required movement back into the finger."

Warne's spinning finger suffered a fractured dislocation after he juggled a catch off Australian teammate Mark Waugh, during the recently completed Pura Cup match between the Victorian Bushrangers and NSW Blues at Punt Road.

Warne will be released from hospital tomorrow and is looking forward to joining the ACB Australian players camp at Mooloolaba later in the week.

© 2000 Victorian Cricket Association