Surgery puts Finch out for 12 weeks

Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch is expected to be out for 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on the hamstring he injured while batting for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League last week.

Finch retired hurt and was assisted from the field by support staff after clutching at his left hamstring and yelling in pain during the Indians’ clash against Rajasthan at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Scans confirmed the extent of the tear, and he was ruled out for the remainder of this year’s IPL tournament.

The 28-year-old tweeted news of his surgery on Tuesday night, explaining that he was hospitalised for one night but appearing optimistic that the surgery went well.

“After returning to Australia injured from the IPL, Aaron had scans that confirmed a high grade hamstring injury," Bupa Support Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

"As such, Aaron was assessed by a surgeon who felt that he would have a better outcome with surgery."

"Aaron subsequently had surgery yesterday that has gone well. Aaron will now commence his rehabilitation and we expect that rehabilitation to take up to 12 weeks.”

Finch had begun IPL8 with scores of five and eight, and was 10 not out when injury struck.

The right-hander’s next cricket commitment is with Yorkshire in England’s County Championship, which began on April 12.

Finch enjoyed a stint with Yorkshire under new Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie in 2014, making a first-class century as he strove to show national selectors his ability against the red ball as well as the white.

Gillespie, for one, was impressed.

"The way the structure in Australia is set up, the Shield season is blocked,” he told cricket.com.au last month.

"Potentially just the lack of opportunity to play four-day cricket is a big obstacle.

"And I think that's why Finchy sees Yorkshire as a great opportunity.

"He'll play a lot of four-day cricket, and he'll do very well, so it's a really good chance to push his case to try and break into that Test team.

“I think Finchy can have a role to play in Test cricket as well, I've got no doubt about that.

"The guy strikes the ball incredibly well.

"A lot of that comes down to a bit of belief, not just from the player but the selectors and the coaches. Belief he can do it, because he can.

"I'll be really excited to see him eventually get a Baggy Green. In my opinion it could happen and should happen.”