Indian paceman Srinath will be fit in three weeks: physician

Bangalore, India, Aug 20: Indian quick Javagal Srinath, ruled out of the remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka due to a hand injury, will be fit to bowl in three weeks, his physician said Monday.

"The injury is not serious and he will be fit in three weeks," orthopaedic surgeon H.P.C. Khincha told the United News of India.

Srinath was struck on the left hand by a rising delivery from Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Fernando while batting in the first innings of the opening Test at Galle last week.

Sri Lanka won the Test by 10 wickets to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series despite Srinath's five-wicket haul.

The second Test starts at Kandy on Wednesday.

"He has a fracture of the left fifth metacarpal bone joining the little finger and the wrist and will be out of action for three weeks," the doctor said.

He said the fast bowler did not require surgery and was likley to be fit for India's tour of South Africa in October.

"Srinath can resume bowling at the nets," Khincha said. "He may not be able to bat or field for three weeks, but should be able to bowl."

Srinath is one of the five Indians currently on the injury-list, the others being batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Venkatsai Laxman, leg-spinner Anil Kumble and left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra.