Scare for Wade in warm-up

CRICKET: Matthew Wade has been dealt an untimely injury scare before the Ashes, forced to retire hurt from Australia XI’S tour match against England Lions.

Australia XI reached 6-233 to give themselves a 353-run lead and move to the cusp of victory going into the final day.

The innings wasn’t without incident for the Australians, however, with Wade being struck on his elbow by a short ball from Lewis Gregory.

Wade was left on his haunches and clutching at his right elbow but continued his innings, before retiring at tea.

Australia chief medical officer John Orchard said Wade’s precautionary X-ray came back clear, but he was likely suffering from a bruised nerve.

“Matthew will be reassessed in the morning but it’s unlikely he’ll bat again in this innings,” Orchard said.

“However, we’re very hopeful he’ll recover in good time for the Australia-australia A game next week.”

Opener Marcus Harris smashed a half-century, while Kurtis Patterson (38) and captain Tim Paine (38) had also made important contributions by stumps at Canterbury on day three of four.

“We’re in a pretty good position, I assume we’ll probably bat for a couple overs in the morning or declare overnight, but the wicket seems to have enough there for us and if they go for the runs it will probably put us in a good position to try and win the game,” said Harris, who opened Australia’s second innings with 50 from 115 balls.

Earlier, Jackson Bird (3-51), Chris Tremain (4-70) and Jon Holland (2-56) helped keep England to a low total with Sam Curran (50) the only notable contributor.