Warne could miss Kiwi Test as well

A thumb fracture which knocked the leg-spinner out of the last Test could also rule him out of the Test against New Zealand later this month.

A thumb fracture which knocked Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne out of the Test against India starting on Wednesday could also rule the world record wicket-taker out of the Test against New Zealand later this month.

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Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said Warne fractured the thumb on his bowling hand during nets practice Tuesday in Mumbai.

"The scans have detected a fracture in his right thumb, and given the amount of cricket on the horizon, we feel that it is in his best interests to get home now and rest," Alcott said in a statement released here.

"We can't predict a return date for Shane, but we will review him in the lead-up to the first Test in Brisbane," he said, referring to the start of the New Zealand series on November 8.

Earlier team spokesman Jonathan Rose said doctors believed Warne could need "between six and eight weeks to recover fully" from the injury.