Finch joins Aussies in IPL injury ward

Aaron Finch’s hamstring injury has not only clouded his future for the Mumbai Indians, but could have him in doubt to represent county champions Yorkshire this winter.

Finch sustained a left hamstring injury in the early stages of Mumbai’s loss to Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals overnight. 

The hard-hitting right-hander shot off for a quick-single to mid-off in the fourth over, but upon stretching out to make his ground at the non-striker’s end he pulled up immediately, hopping on his right leg before falling to the ground in agony.

The 26-year-old was forced to retire hurt on 10 and was helped from the field by teammates and support staff.

Finch will have scans today to determine the extent of the damage, and Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said “it looks bad” following the match. 

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Whether the injury will rule the opener out of the tournament is yet to be known, but the setback will hamper his preparation for his second stint with Yorkshire after a fruitful first tenure at Headingley last year.

Finch excelled in his five county championship games for the White Rose last winter under head coach Jason Gillespie, who today signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the next two KFC T20 Big Bash League seasons.

In six innings, the Victorian tallied 291 runs at 48.50, striking at 72 runs per 100 balls faced against the swinging red Duke ball.

Finch now joins a long list of Australians that have entered the injury ward during the lucrative tournament.

Last season, Test middle-order batsman Shaun Marsh required a full elbow reconstruction after tearing his tendons while throwing in a match for Kings XI Punjab.

The surgery ruled him out of Australia’s tours to Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India and the beginning of the Australian domestic summer.

Western Australia fast bowler Nathan Coutler-Nile needed surgery to repair a hamstring injury he suffered in his first game for the Delhi Daredevils last April.

Ryan Harris missed the first Test of the 2013 Ashes series in England still recovering from an Achilles injury he picked up for Kings XI Punjab, the same club as Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey and Mitchell Johnson.

And Steve Smith was in doubt for the preceding Australia A tour two years ago, injuring his back playing for the now defunct Pune Warriors.

Smith is currently the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, standing in for injured skipper Shane Watson who bruised his hip in the nets prior to the tournament, but the allrounder is expected to return to action on Sunday.