Injured Shankar shown the door by Worcestershire

Shankar spent two years at Lancashire before moving to New Road

Worcestershire have terminated the contract of new signing Adrian Shankar, following the injury he sustained on his Championship debut against Durham.

The 29-year-old ex-Cambridge University batsman, who suffered the knee injury before play on day two, retired hurt.

But it has now been discovered that he faces six weeks out with a strained cruciate ligament.

Shankar's original deal was until the end of the 2012 season, but it has been decided to let him go immediately.

"The contract and registration of Adrian Shankar with Worcestershire has today been terminated by mutual consent," read a club statement.

"Worcestershire County Cricket Club will be making no further comment at this time."

Berkshire-born Shankar, 29, who spent the last two seasons on Lancashire's books, had already featured on the staff at New Road.

He made several second XI appearances, featuring alongside Stephen Moore, Steven Davies and future county skipper Daryl Mitchell back in 2003.

The Cambridge University graduate, who made 143 in the 2002 Varsity Match at Lord's, spent five years playing Minor Counties with Bedfordshire, as well as spending a lot of time in league cricket.

Lancashire gave him a chance at the back end of 2008, rewarding him with a two-year deal, but he did not feature in the first team, hitting 599 runs for the Second XI at 26.04.

Reports of his winter performances in Sri Lanka this winter then proved sufficiently impressive to earn him a contract with injury-hit Worcestershire.

But he has now parted company with the county after just two first team appearances.

He made a duck in the CB40 match with Middlesex at Lord's and then made 10 in that one knock on his Championship debut against Durham at New Road, remaining absent in the second innings.