Cricket
Andrew to miss start of new season

Buy photos » All rounder Gareth Andrew could miss the first two months of the season. Picture by Ian Smith.

WORCESTERSHIRE'S star all rounder Gareth Andrew will miss the start of the new season as he recovers from knee surgery.

The 28-year-old had an operation on his troublesome left knee in December and could be out until June, although the club remain hopeful he will be able to make a comeback before then.

He saw a specialist after struggling through the final few games of last season and had initially hoped to avoid surgery. But when the condition of his knee failed to improve he had an operation which revealed there was more damage than first suspected.

Andrew has now had the knee brace removed from his leg and is in the early stages of strength and conditioning work, but he faces a long battle to regain full fitness.

"The feeling is Gareth will certainly miss the start of the season, but how far into the season is anyone's guess at the moment," Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale said.

"He could be out until June but we are hoping it will be earlier and that he could certainly bat before then.

"Having seen him this week his progress appears to be very good."

Andrew claimed 52 wickets for the County and racked up just under 700 runs in first class cricket last season, finishing runner-up in the Professional Cricketers' Association's most valuable player list.

Leatherdale said despite Andrew's absence it was unlikely Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes would move to sign another player as cover.

"Steve is not looking to replace him at the moment," Leatherdale said.

"Signing David Lucas gave us that extra bowler and there will be opportunities for the likes of Nick Harrison and Jack Shantry and these sorts of guys to show what they can do."