 Harbhajan had been raring to go after two months out of cricket |
Lancashire have terminated Harbhajan Singh's contract after the Indian star failed in his bid to recover from a long-term finger injury. The off-spinner sustained the injury during the World Cup but may now need an operation on the finger after failing a fitness test on Thursday.
Carl Hooper, who was signed to cover for Harbhajan, is likely to be offered a contract to stay on until the end of the season as the second overseas player with Stuart Law.
"I think we got lucky with Carl fitting in so well with the rest of the team," Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson told BBC GMR.
Harbhajan had been due finally to arrive in Manchester later on Friday after missing the whole of the start of the season.
Harbhajan suffered the injury playing in a one-day series in Bangladesh in April.
He was brimming with enthusiasm after sitting out cricket for two months.
His target is now the Test series at home to New Zealand in October followed by a traingular series involving Australia.
Watkinson said: "It's disappointing that Harbhajan won't be joining us, but at least a firm decision has been taken.
"We wish him well for the future and trust that he will soon be fully recovered."
MMIX
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