Beams ruled out with finger injury

Australia have been dealt a blow heading into their final two one-day internationals against South Africa, with in-form leg-spinner Kristen Beams ruled out of the remainder of the series with a finger injury.

While the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad flew to Coffs Harbour on Friday, Beams instead returned to Melbourne after undergoing surgery on her right little finger, which she fractured in Wednesday’s win against South Africa at North Sydney Oval.

It's a disappointing setback for the in-form 32-year-old and her Australian teammates, after Beams enjoyed a breakthrough tour of Sri Lanka and caused plenty of problems for the South Africans with tight, economical spells during the first three ODIs.

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The length of Beams' stint on the sidelines is at this point unknown, with her focus to be on making a return with the Melbourne Stars during the Rebel Women's Big Bash League, which starts on December 10.

"You never want to see one of your teammates get injured," Australia seamer Rene Farrell said before training at Coffs International Stadium on Saturday, backing the spinner to return better than ever.

"We've all been there and we've all had finger injuries before. Hopefully she'll be right around the middle of the WBBL season.

"I know she'll come back stronger, she's a tough character."

Beams was the star of Australia's two-week tour of Sri Lanka in September, finishing with 16 wickets at an average of 5.50 across the four one-day internationals and a sole Twenty20, including career-best figures in both limited-overs formats.

Having taken just 12 wickets in 14 ODI appearances prior to the tour, Beams claimed multiple wickets in every match in Sri Lanka, brilliantly combined daring flight with subtle variations in pace to leave opposition batters with few options to survive, let alone score.

She had carried that form into the home series against the Proteas as Australia’s most economical bowler across the opening three ODIs.

But if her brave actions after sustaining the finger injury at North Sydney Oval are anything to go by – Beams quickly seeking medical treatment on the boundary line before racing back on to the ground to bowl her final two overs – expect to see the Tasmanian-born VicSpirit representative back sooner rather than later.

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"To go out there and bowl another two overs with a dislocated and broken finger, she's a tough Tasmanian," Farrell said.

"Good luck to her, I can't wait to see her again on the field."

Australia opening batter Nicole Bolton was similarly full of praise for the way Beams pushed through the pain to continue bowling on Wednesday when the Southern Stars sorely needed to contain the Proteas' run-rate in the face of century-maker Lizelle Lee's onslaught.

"Beamsy was incredible,” Bolton said following the match at North Sydney Oval.

"Her finger was still dislocated and she bowled her last two overs for us.

"That shows the strength character of someone like Beamsy, who we heavily rely on with the ball, and for her some out and do that for us was just incredible."

Australia have a 3-nil lead heading into the final two matches in Coffs Harbour, with the final two games to be played on November 27 and 29.

Entry is FREE and both games will be streamed live and free on cricket.com.au, the Cricket Australia Live app and on the Southern Stars Facebook page.