Bracken cleared to play
Will Swanton - 12 June 2001

MANCHESTER, England - Fast bowler Nathan Bracken has been given the all-clear to remain on Australia's cricket tour of England.

Bracken received the results of an MRI scan on his left shoulder this morning which revealed that fears about suspected torn ligaments were unfounded.

Bracken will not play for two weeks while he does strengthening work and physiotherapy on his shoulder.

"At the moment we are just taking it as it comes," Bracken said at Australian training at Old Trafford today.

"It wasn't actually that bad, the instability basically just caused a bit of extra strain on the nerve.

"It was just a concern because it was something I hadn't felt before."

Bracken's fellow fast bowlers Jason Gillespie (hamstring) and Damien Fleming (calf) trained strongly this morning after their recent injury problems and they will be available for the one-day match against England here on Thursday.

However, Bracken will remain in cotton wool for the time being.

There were fears yesterday that Bracken's injury was worse than previously thought.

"Myself and (team physiotherapist) Pat Farhart were really the only two who knew the extent of it," said Bracken.

"I could do pretty much everything - I could lift, I could move the arm freely and most of it was pretty much pain free.

"I know there's been a bit of speculation about what has gone wrong but I didn't want to put anything out there because I didn't know.

"But it is clear, it's fine and it's ready to go."

© 2001 AAP


Teams Australia, England, Pakistan.
Players/Umpires Nathan Bracken, Jason Gillespie, Damien Fleming.
Tours Australia in England
Tournaments NatWest Series