Cricket: McCague out of action with back injury

MARTIN McCAGUE, the Kent and England fast bowler, looks set to miss the rest of the season with a back injury sustained during the Ashes defeat at Headingley.

The 25-year-old paceman, who was out of action with back and hamstring problems earlier this summer, is believed to be suffering from a stress fracture. The Kent secretary, Stuart Anderson, confirming McCague's injury, said: 'It's a blow for Martin, England and the county, and it's unlikely he'll play again this season.'

McCague, born in Northern Ireland but raised in Australia, sparked off protests when he was selected for England for the third Test at Trent Bridge. After a promising debut, taking 4 for 121 in Australia's first innings, he seemed to struggle in the field at Headingley in the fourth Test before finally going off injured, although he did bat.

The Kent coach, Daryl Foster, said: 'I feel deeply sorry for Martin because he has had the problem before and it's very unusual for it to occur a second time. The specialist says it will take him four to six weeks to recover so unfortunately, as far as first-class cricket is concerned, we have had to write him off for the season.'

McCague's injury is a further blow to Kent, who already have the paceman, Alan Igglesden, under treatment. Igglesden is recovering from a side muscle strain, but plays for the Second XI against Derbyshire at Folkestone, starting today.

Vinod Kambli continued his prolific streak for India with a century yesterday, when he scored an unbeaten 119 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. India, after electing to bat, were steered by the left-handed Kambli, who reached his century off 169 balls, to 300 for 4 at the close.

Details, Cricket Scoreboard,

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