Silk gives update on fractured collarbone

Tasmania opener Jordan Silk is hopeful he will return to play a role in his side’s JLT Sheffield Shield fortunes this summer as he continues his recovery from a fractured collarbone.

Silk suffered the injury while playing for the Sydney Sixers against Melbourne Stars in their KFC Big Bash League clash at the SCG on January 23.

Regarded by Australian great Ricky Ponting as one of the best fieldsmen in the country, a diving Silk successfully stopped a Glenn Maxwell drive from crossing the boundary rope at long on before landing awkwardly and being forced from the field.

There were initial fears the 25-year-old would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, but Silk said he was confident of defying those predictions.

“It’s going along OK. It’s just over three weeks since I had surgery done,” Silk said on the CA Live Stream on day two of Tasmania’s Shield clash against Western Australia.

“They sort of expected it to be around six weeks total recovery time, but I’m sitting down with some doctors and physios on Monday just to map out a plan of what’s next for me.

“It feels good at the moment, but it’s just about the waiting game now.

“They (doctors) will map out a timeline as such to hopefully tick off a few little boxes along the way. Hopefully I’m able to tick them off quicker than they suggest.

“I’m really hopeful of being able to get back and playing some cricket this year.”

Silk had been in impressive form before his injury, hitting 104 against NSW in December and registering three scores of 45 or more from four innings for the Sixers during the BBL.

Tasmania sits fifth on the Shield table, with matches to come against NSW (February 24-27), South Australia (March 5-8) and Victoria (March 14-17).

The Sixers finished the BBL season strongly but logged a fifth-placed finish after losing the final to Perth Scorchers the previous season, and Silk revealed his future at the club was uncertain.

“I’m not sure at the moment,” he said. “I’m sort of just going through plans at the moment as to what that will look like. I guess it’s a bit up in the air.

“From what I can say, I’ve really enjoyed my time there. They’re a great franchise, had a bit of a bad year, but I’m sure they’re not too far from turning things around. Whether I’m a part of that next year, I’m not sure yet, but I’m hopeful something will be sorted soon.

“If I do end up staying, it’s nothing against my commitment to Tassie cricket. I’ve absolutely loved my time down here and the way things have turned around this season.

“I feel like at the moment I’ve got a really good balance and I’d be happy if that stayed the case.”

Silk has played 37 matches for the Sixers since 2013, contributing 670 runs at 27.91.