Published: 26/02/2010 11:36:32 | Modified: 26/02/2010 11:39:45
Author: Paul Bolton | All Contributors
Rankin back on the road to recovery
Warwickshire expect Ireland fast bowler Boyd Rankin to be fit for the start of the new season after recovering from a foot injury.
The problem, identified as the early stages of a stress fracture, was picked up by ECB medical staff at Loughborough last month and Rankin was withdrawn from Ireland’s recent World Twenty20 qualifiers as a precaution.
Rankin, who had a spell at an ECB fast bowling camp in Florida before Christmas, has still not resumed bowling and is unlikely to do so before Warwickshire depart for their pre-season tour to Bloemfontein on March 10.
But Ashley Giles, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, is hopeful that Rankin will resume bowling in South Africa and will be fit for the opening County Championship match against Yorkshire at Edgbaston on April 9.
“It’s not a concern, Boyd is going to be fine,” Giles said. “It’s unlikely that he will do any bowling before we go to South Africa but he should be fine when we get out there.”
Warwickshire’s other injury concern is, surprise, surprise, seamer Naqaash Tahir.
Naqaash has had almost as many injuries as he has taken first-class wickets during a frustrating career at Edgbaston and recently had an injection in a sore ankle.
Warwickshire thought long and hard before they offered Naqaash a new contract last season but interest from a clutch of other counties, including Worcestershire, persuaded them that they should keep a prized asset.
He finished the season with 30 wickets from ten Championship games and collected the county’s bowling award at this week’s annual meeting at Edgbaston.
Warwickshire will hope that Naqaash’s latest injury is not an indication that the security of a new contract means that he will slip back into his comfort zone.