The England bowler James Kirtley has undergone surgery on the hand that he injured during training at Old Trafford last Saturday. The injury has prevented Kirtley from a likely appearance in Saturday's NatWest Final at Lord's, and is expected to keep him out of the game for six weeks.

The Sussex opening bowler, who has been replaced in the England squad by Derbyshire's Dominic Cork, has had a plate and pin inserted in his hand.

Sussex physio, Stuart Osborne said: "There is a fracture mid-shaft on the fifth metacarpal. The prognosis is much better with this fixation and we will attempt to achieve full range of motion as soon as possible.

"The surgeon told us that it would be a complicated fixation as there are small splints of bone, but as the surgeon is a Mr Hatrick, both James and I have the utmost confidence in his ability!"

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