Blow for Bears after star bowler struck down with injury
Warwickshire have been dealt a blow on the eve of the new cricket season after seamer Oliver Hannon-Dalby suffered a quad muscle tear.
Hannon-Dalby, who has taken more than 50 wickets in each of the last three County Championship campaigns, is expected to miss around a month with the injury sustained in training earlier this week.
His absence is the latest setback to hit a Bears bowling attack which will also go into the season without England quick Chris Woakes and experienced seamer Chris Rushworth.
The latter is recovering from a calf injury, while Woakes is not likely to be available until May due to an ankle problem.
Sri Lanka international Vishwa Fernando is available and poised to make his Bears debut in Friday’s opener against Sussex at Edgbaston, along with winter signing Ethan Bamber.
Head coach Ian Westwood said: “We’ve known for a while that Rushy would miss the start due to a calf problem.
“He’s seen a specialist and we’ll work him gradually back to bowling; we don’t want to rush it and risk him breaking down again.
“But Olly’s is a new injury which is a blow so close to the start of the new season. A scan has revealed a small tear and he’ll likely be out for April.
“Vishwa has settled well into the squad and Ethan has looked sharp in pre-season and taken wickets. They’ll be complemented by Ed Barnard, while Michael Booth and Che Simmons are also in contention.”
The Bears will be without star overseas signing Tom Latham for the first month as the New Zealand Test captain recovers from a broken finger.
