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GALE TO MISS REST OF SEASON

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Sunshine Coast fast bowler Matthew Gale will miss the remainder of the season for the XXXX GOLD Queensland Bulls after injuring his knee yesterday on the second day of the Bupa Sheffield Shield against Victoria at the MCG.

Scans today revealed he had suffered a grade two tear of the medial ligament in his left knee when an attempted slide in the field went wrong.

Queensland Cricket physiotherapist Martin Love said Gale’s recovery period would be around the six week mark, which rules him out of the Bulls remaining two Shield games (v WA away and Tasmania at home) and the Ryobi Cup Final next Wednesday.

Allrounder Jason Floros flew to Melbourne last night to be 13th man for the team, with he and Ryan Harris to share fielding duties in Gale’s absence.

Bulls coach Darren Lehmann said it was unfortunate timing for the paceman, who took a career best five-wicket haul for Queensland in the Ryobi Cup win last week over Victoria that earned the Bulls second spot on the one-day ladder.

“It’s bad luck for Galey as he had really started to hit his straps for us in the second half of the season,’’ he said. “Fortunately he should be able to make a solid recovery and be right to have a full off-season though.”

“With Galey, Luke Feldman and Chris Lynn out of action, our depth is being tested a bit, as it is for most of the teams at this stage of the season, but the players who are coming into the team are making the most of their opportunity and we’re backing them to keep going.”

Lehmann said the selectors would look closely at their options before finalising a squad for the Ryobi Cup Final against the Bushrangers at the MCG on Wednesday.

“They’ll obviously need to check the availability of the squad and work through our best line-up. It’s exciting to be in a Final and we’re looking forward to getting together after the Shield game to finalise things ahead of next Wednesday,’’ he said.