Cricket: X-ray blow to England Test hopes

THE England cricket tourists were dealt a blow yesterday when X-rays revealed that their opening bowler, Angus Fraser, had two hairline fractures of his left index finger.

Fraser, struck on the hand while batting against Barbados in Bridgetown on Saturday, will miss the first one-day international on Wednesday, but there is some hope of his being fit for the opening Test, which starts on Saturday.

In Rome, Paul Gascoigne delighted the watching England football coach, Terry Venables, by curling a free- kick into Cagliari's net to cap a fine display in Lazio's 4-0 victory in Italy's Serie A.

After the England rugby union side's unconvincing victory over Scotland last weekend, a reshuffle was rumoured, but the selectors have made only one change. Tim Rodber, fit again, replaces John Hall in the back row.

Sport, pages 31-36