Martyn to miss start of WI tour

SYDNEY: Australian batsman Damien Martyn will miss the start of the West Indies cricket tour because of his finger injury, team officials said yesterday.

Martyn fractured his right index finger while fielding during the World Cup tournament. When the rest of the team flies out to the Caribbean tomorrow he will remain in Perth to undergo further scans and treatment. Martyn played in the World Cup final with the help of painkillers and scored 88 not out off 84 balls as he and Ricky Ponting put on a record unbeaten stand of 234 in Australia’s win over India in the final. Martyn said in a statement that he didn’t want to do any long-term damage to the finger. “I’m naturally disappointed that I won’t be on the plane to the West Indies but it’s important that I allow the treatment to take its course and get things right for good,” said Martyn. Australia’s four-Test Caribbean tour begins with a three-day match in Georgetown, Guyana on April 5 ahead of the First Test there. Seven One-Day Internationals are also scheduled.