Kumble undergoes surgery on broken jaw

Bangalore, May 16: India leg-spinner Anil Kumble successfully underwent surgery on Thursday to mend his fractured jaw suffered during the fourth Test in West Indies last week.

"The operation went off well and he is recovering," Dr Sanjiv Nair, one of the two doctors who conducted the operation, told Reuters.

The 45-minute procedure included fixing a plate to support the broken jaw and the player was likely to be discharged by evening, he said.

"He is fully awake. By evening he can go home," he said.

"He will have to rest for three-four days and then he can begin nets. He should be fully okay in about three weeks."

Kumble, 31, India's most successful current bowler with 319 Test wickets, was hit by a rising ball from paceman Mervyn Dillon while batting on Saturday's second day of the Antigua Test.

But he still managed to bowl the following day with his face swathed in bandages and dismissed top batsman Brian Lara cheaply during a sharp 14-over spell before heading home for treatment.

Kumble is expected to regain full fitness to be available for India's tour of England starting in mid-June.

He was one of 16 players past and present nominated on Wednesday for the Indian Cricketer of the Century award launched by Wisden Cricketers Almanac.