Injury Blows As Season Approaches
21 March 2013
Injury blows involving Paul Muchall (pictured) and Ian Saxelby have hit Gloucestershire with the new season less than three weeks away.
Muchall has undergone a cartilage operation and could be sidelined for as long as 12 weeks, while Saxelby is under treatment for a bicep strain, which is also potentially serious.
Director of Cricket John Bracewell told this website: "We brought Paul back early from New Zealand because of a knee problem and hoped it would settle down with rest.
"Instead it has got worse so surgery was the only answer. Unfortunately, it is the outside cartilage, which means a longer lay-off and we are probably looking at six to 12 weeks.
"Ian's bicep injury is a continuation from the shoulder problems that have plagued him. We will get it checked out next week, but it doesn't look good. He really has had wretched luck."
James Fuller would also have been left out of the abandoned Oxford MCCU game because of a knee problem, but is expected to be fit by the start of the season.
Vice-captain Hamish Marshall will lead the side in a one-day friendly against Somerset at Taunton on Monday, with new skipper Michael Klinger not due to arrive in England until the beginning of next month.
There are three wicketkeepers included in the 12, with Richard Coughtrie, Gareth Roderick and Cameron Herring all featuring, although one is likely to be left out on the day.
John Bracewell added: "We haven't made a decision on who will keep wicket yet. In any event we are waiting to hear whether the game will go ahead because of the bad weather."
Gloucestershire (from) H.Marshall (capt). C.Dent, DHousego, A Gidman, G.Roderick, W Gidman, E.Young, R.Coughtrie, G.McCarter. D.Payne, M.Taylor, C.Herring
