Lewis sets date (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Lewis sets date

JON LEWIS is looking to return to action next week for Gloucestershire.

The right-arm fast bowler has set the four-day county game at Bristol against Glamorgan starting next Thursday, August 25, as his comeback date, the day before his 30th birthday.

Lewis, a former Swindon player and Churchfields Schools student, has been out for the past fortnight with a broken bone in his left hand.

"It happened in the match against Hampshire," said Lewis.

"I was batting and got a quick delivery from Shane Watson. I couldn't get out of the way of it and hit me on the hand.

"X-rays confirmed the break and doctors said I would be out for three to four weeks."

Lewis continued: "It feels fine now and I don't have a plaster on it.

"But I am going to give it another week for the crack to heal properly .

"I don't want to take the risk of another blow on the hand and suffering a further injury as that would mean having to have the bone pinned.

"Therefore I am planning to be back for the game with Glamorgan next Thursday."

The injury came at the wrong time for Lewis who was just starting to get back into the swing of county cricket.

He had made his England debut earlier in the summer in the one -day internationals against Bangladesh and Australia.

But then left on the sidelines for the remainder of the NatWest Series against Australia after the game on his home track at Bristol.

After the winter disappointment of only being 12th man for the final Test with South Africa, Lewis was hoping to make his Ashes debut.

He was named in the squad but not final 12 for the first Test at Lord's and returned to Gloucestershire.

He had just back into the routine of competitive cricket again and not just being a squad member, when the injury occurred.

"It is obviously frustrating having to watch again," admitted Lewis.

"There is not a lot I can do about it injuries unfortunately happen in sport.

"I haven't been wasting the time-off though and have been working on my game. I just want to keep improving," he added.

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire are able to welcome back experienced batsman Craig Spearman for their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Surrey at The Brit Oval.

Spearman, who was unavailable for the Championship defeat to Sussex at Cheltenham last week due to family problems, returns in place of Philip Weston, who suffered a cracked rib in that match.

Former Wiltshire Minor Counties pace bowler Roger Sillence will make his first appearance of the season if Gloucestershire decide not to play both spinners, Ian Fisher and Malinga Bandara.

Sillence has not been considered for selection in recent weeks due to a side strain.

With strike bowlers Jon Lewis (fractured hand) and Steve Kirby (thigh strain) are again sidelined from action.