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Finch ready to go after hospital visits

Australia and Yorkshire opener Aaron Finch has given the thumbs up for a return to cricket after second XI scare

Aaron Finch says he’s ready to get back into cricket after a nasty blow in a second XI match for Yorkshire had him spitting up blood.

Australia’s limited-overs opener was forced to retire hurt and didn’t resume his innings against the Worcestershire Second XI. Instead the 28-year-old was twice sent to hospital for precautionary scans.

Quick Single: Finch released from hospital

Lung bruising was the concern for Finch and Yorkshire but the results of the scans cleared him of any serious damage.

“I’m feeling much better,” he said.

“It was totally innocuous. I got a bottom edge on an attempted pull shot into my chest.

“It was sore initially and a little uncomfortable, but all is good.”

The match at Barnt Green Cricket Club in Lickey was Finch’s first fixture against the red ball since a Bupa Sheffield Shield clash against the Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors in December, with Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie opting to ramp the batsman’s first-class preparation up ahead of a County Championship berth.

"Finchy hasn't played a lot of cricket since he came back from his injury,” Yorkshire's Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon said – in reference to the torn hamstring that saw Finch miss the majority of this year’s Indian Premier League.

“So 'Dizzy' (Gillespie) spoke to him about playing in the Second XI. We thought it would be better spending time in the seconds and building it up again."

Despite his lack of red-ball cricket, Finch has featured in five Twenty20 matches since touching down in England – three of which were for Yorkshire’s first XI.

If, as expected, he makes his T20 return this weekend against ladder-leaders Durham he will join a squad full of confidence, after Yorkshire bested Nottinghamshire to the tune of an innings and eight runs in their most recent first-class fixture.

Unfortunately, red-ball success hasn’t translated to the shortest format, with Yorkshire sitting in last position in the North Group in England’s domestic T20 competition.

Notwithstanding his side’s slow start, Finch says he’s looking forward to the challenge of taking on the league’s best.

 “I’m fit to play against Leicestershire in the T20 on Friday and will be available for selection against Durham in the County Championship on Sunday at Durham,” he said.

“(It) will be a great test for us after our efforts in the current match against Nottinghamshire.

“Durham are currently top of the table but victory over Notts (last match) sets it up nicely going to the Riverside.

“It should be a cracker.”