E-Paper
Symonds warned of World Cup injury risk
The Australian all-rounder has been warned of the risk he takes going into World Cup as he recovers from surgery for a bicep injury.
Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been warned of the risk he takes going into next month's cricket World Cup as he recovers from surgery for a bicep injury.
Symonds was this week included in Australia's 15-man squad for the World Cup in the Caribbean, although he said he would be unable to bat until well into the tournament.
Symonds, whose absence was sorely missed as Australia crashed to a stunning 2-0 loss to England in last weekend's tri-series one-day finals, said he has earmarked the game against South Africa at Basseterre, St. Kitts on March 24 for his comeback.
Australian team doctor Trefor James said although a second tear (in the bicep) would not put Symonds out of the game for an extended period unless he chose to repeat the surgery, it would reduce the strength in his shoulder by about 10 percent.
Symonds is a valuable member of Australia's one-day team, not only because of his explosive middle-order batting but because he is perhaps the best fielder in the world, with a lethal, flat throw from the outfield and inside the circle.
"There is a small risk of re-injuring it and, obviously, the longer it is left, the less the risk becomes. There will always be some risk," James told The Sydney Morning Herald today.
"The effect of that, from a theoretical point of view, is that it may lead to approximately a 10 percent reduction in strength, and that may be something he notices more with throwing than anything else," James said.
