Sohail taken to hospital after bouncer

Cricket

Aamir Sohail, the Pakistan batsman, was taken to hospital yesterday after being struck in the face by a bouncer from his team-mate Waqar Younis during a practice session in Melbourne.

Sohail will miss the tourists' four-day match against Victoria, starting today, after having stitches inserted in the wound.

The Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, said the opener, who was not wearing a helmet during the net practice at the MCG, should be fit to play in the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney next Thursday.

After avoiding one bouncer, Sohail failed to connect with an attempted hook when Waqar sent down another short-pitched delivery the next ball.

Four West Indies players whose behaviour was considered "unsatisfactory" during the tour of England last summer have appeared before a disciplinary hearing in Bridgetown.

The West Indies Board of Control is yet to name the players, but the Caribbean News Agency, CANA, claimed Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Curtly Ambrose and Kenny Benjamin met the disciplinary committee.