Mullally suffers injury setback

Happier times - Mullally celebrates a wicket

England fast bowler Alan Mullally has been ordered to take a four-week break from the game after suffering a recurrence of a rib injury which first appeared during last winter's tour to South Africa.

A specialist has diagnosed a stress fracture of the rib cage and the news is a major blow for Hampshire, who were looking to Mullally to spearhead their pace attack this season following his arrival from Leicestershire.

"I have tried to bowl through it and have taken pain-killers, but it hasn't worked. I've now been advised to take a complete rest," the 29-year-old said.

He will miss the second Test against Zimbabwe, which starts on 1 June, and the news also dashes his hopes of forcing his way into contention for the start of the five-Test series against West Indies.

Pain

"I was hoping that by sitting out Hampshire's championship matches the problem would clear up itself, but that hasn't been the case. I'm still getting a lot of pain from the injury, and it's now just a case of getting the situation sorted out once and for all.

"It's very frustrating having to sit on the sidelines and watch - and I'm now concentrating on getting myself fully fit for the second half of the season, so I can hopefully get myself back in the England picture."

England are short of seam bowlers at present with Dean Headley and Chris Silverwood also out due to injury, prompting calls for Ed Giddins and Steve Harmison for the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Mullally has so far played in 18 Tests, taking 56 wickets at an average of 30.58, and has also claimed 45 wickets in 42 one-day international appearances.