Burns blow as injury cuts UK stint short

Test hopeful Joe Burns has had his county stint curtailed after suffering a back injury with Glamorgan.

Burns, who opened for Australia in the Johannesburg Test in March, jarred his back while fielding in a T20 match against Sussex.

He was reported to have exacerbated the injury in Glamorgan's defeat to Gloucestershire at Cheltenham last weekend.

Burns missed Glamorgan's games against Kent in Cardiff, and the win against Surrey at The Oval where fellow Aussie Nic Maddinson smashed an impressive 70.

Burns had been called up by Glamorgan in mid-July to replace Shaun Marsh, who injured his shoulder while fielding for the side.

The injury is the latest set-back for Burns after he was overlooked for selection on the Australia A tour.

Burns joins Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell as the highest-profile Test hopefuls to miss the A tour, but that pair have extensive subcontinent experience and are not required on the tour.

It remains unclear at this stage what sort of recovery timeframe Burns is looking at but Queensland will be anxious to ensure he is fit for the JLT One Day Cup domestic campaign following the loss of captain Jimmy Peirson to a hamstring injury that required surgery.

Burns's UK exit is also one half of a double-blow for Glamorgan, who have bid farewell to Usman Khawaja, who is participating in the Australia A tour to India.

Khawaja will play his last county game on Friday against Gloucestershire before returning home to Brisbane, with a training camp for Australia A players to be held at the Bupa National Cricket Centre next week.

Glamorgan had expected Khawaja would be available for the majority of their T20 campaign, but the emphasis Australia is placing on this A tour means he will play no further part in their season.

"It's disappointing Usman and Joe will have to finish their stints at Glamorgan early," chief executive Hugh Morris told the club website.

"Both players have been fantastic for the dressing room and Usman in particular has shown himself to be a world-class batsman with his performances."

"I would like to thank both players for coming to Glamorgan at such notice and bringing their vast experience to the side."

The 31-year-old Khawaja had quickly endeared himself to the club after he struck three centuries in his firs three first-class matches for the county.

Glamorgan are sixth in the Blast South Group after their four-wicket win at Surrey on Tuesday.