Four stitches and a perforated ear drum is what Rockingham-Mandurah captain Shane Saxon recieved from Willetton allrounder John Taylor during round five of the SunSmart Cup.

Victorian import Taylor, 23, hit Saxon with a lively bouncer forcing him from the ground with a nasty gash to the ear.

Saxon was immediately taken to hospital in an ambulance where doctors discovered the blow had burst his eardrum.

On a flat wicket poor shot was to blame according to Taylor with Saxon ducking into the ball.

Rockingham-Mandurah President Peter Swarbrick said Saxon had been cleared of permanent damage and should be to playing in two weeks.

"Hopefully he'll be back to playing in a couple of weeks, it's up to the specialist," he said.

"We are trying to find the black cat."

Swarbrick was referring to the amazing run of bad luck that has afflicted Rockingham-Mandurah's top order in recent weeks.

English import Mark Powell is out with an injured back and Corey Whisson has a chipped bone in his finger courtesy of a lifting Paul Wilson delivery.

With Saxon out, three of Rockingham-Mandurah's top order are unavailable. �

© 2002 Western Australian Cricket Association

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.