Cricketer tears off finger in nets climb

It happened when Wath were waiting for practice nets to be opened on Saturday for a knock-up before playing Elsecar in the Premier Division of the South Yorkshire Cricket League.

James Barnard, 32, a doctor at Rotherham Hospital, and all-rounder for Wath, got impatient waiting for the keys to arrive and decided to climb into the nets via a wire fence. As he dropped over the top, his wedding ring got hooked and his body weight tore the finger off.

He lost surprisingly little blood, according to reports, and was conscious as he and the finger were taken to hospital in Sheffield. But surgeons could not repair the damage. Last night, Mr Barnard, a senior medical officer at Rotherham, was said to be recovering well, although regretting his impulsiveness.

His teammates were too upset to continue with the fixture.