Hand fracture sidelines Broom

Neil Broom
Neil Broom
Otago's most experienced batsman Neil Broom will miss the next three or four Super Smash matches and possibly more.

The 35-year-old injured his left hand in the game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve on December 28.

He played through the pain two days later in Alexandra but an X-ray has revealed a fracture and his hand is in a cast.

Broom could return in late January, but the Volts’ round nine match against Canterbury on February 2, at Hagley Oval, is probably more realistic.

"That is what we are hoping for," Volts coach Rob Walter said.

"If it was up to Neil he would have played [yesterday]. But we are certainly hopeful he will feature in the back end of the tournament."

Otago’s match against Central Districts at the University of Otago yesterday was abandoned without a ball bowled. Veteran opener Brad Wilson was named in Broom’s absence but several Otago A batsmen have shown promising form during the tri-series tournament against Auckland A and Canterbury A, in Lincoln.

Josh Tasman-Jones posted a century, Mitch Renwick scored two half-centuries and Fraser Colson also impressed with 64 not out and an unbeaten 41.

Broom’s absence is a big loss for Otago, all the same. His partnership with Hamish Rutherford at the top of the innings is a strength for the Volts.

He is also a very good fielder with an accurate throw, as plenty of batsmen have found out.

"He has been in really good touch and was a guy that no doubt was going to be contributing heavily at the top," Walter said.

"He is tough to replace. But someone else will have to step in and step up to the plate."

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