Injured Finch set for surprise Vikings comeback after hospital trip

AARON FINCH will return to Yorkshire action tomorrow only five days after he was taken to hospital after coughing up blood.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2015, 08:38 BST
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan is congratulated by Adam Lyth on dismissing Nottinghamshire's Michael Lumb LBW.Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan is congratulated by Adam Lyth on dismissing Nottinghamshire's Michael Lumb LBW.
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan is congratulated by Adam Lyth on dismissing Nottinghamshire's Michael Lumb LBW.

The Australia batsman was struck in the ribs while playing for the Yorkshire second team against Worcestershire at Barnt Green.

Finch was taken to Redditch Hospital after suffering a bruised lung and underwent further tests on returning to Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie last night confirmed that Finch’s injury is less serious than feared and that he will play in the T20 game against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

“Aaron is fine,” said Gillespie. “There’s absolutely no side effects whatsoever.

“He’ll be absolutely fine for Friday, and also for Sunday (against Durham in the Championship).”

Finch was selected to play for the second team – as opposed to playing in the Championship game against Notts – because he has had little cricket lately after a hamstring injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yorkshire thrashed Notts by an innings despite overlooking both their overseas players as Finch’s fellow Australian Glenn Maxwell was given a few days off.

Clubs can only field one overseas player in the Championship, and Finch is the first-choice import, with Maxwell signed primarily for T20 cricket.

“We just felt, with our England players available (for the Notts game), and Finchy getting back into cricket after a bit of an injury lay-off, that he was best served playing for the second team,” said Gillespie.

“It’s been a bit surprising that some people have questioned that, but I’d like to think we made the right call.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The fact is, Finchy hasn’t played a four-day game since last November, and we want to look after him after his injury lay-off.

Yorkshire will be without Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance for the match at Durham as they are heading to Spain on Saturday for England’s pre-Ashes training camp.

Yorkshire’s Joe Root and Liam Plunkett are also on the 14-man camp, designed to help the players get to know new coach Trevor Bayliss.

Yorkshire have enviable strength, with Gillespie saying: “We had two Test players in our top-three (Lyth and Ballance) and an England Lions’ opening batter (Alex Lees).

“Then we had the captain (Andrew Gale), our highest run-scorer batting at five (Jack Leaning) and Jonny Bairstow, so there wasn’t much room.

“I made the call and Finchy understood.”

Related topics:YorkshireVikingsAustraliaWorcestershire