Bashir confident of Ashes fitness after operation on hand

SHOAIB Bashir is confident he will be ready for the first Ashes Test as he revealed his relief at an injury to his little finger being on his non-bowling hand.

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Bashir went down attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in England's third Test against India at Lord's last month, necessitating an hour-long operation to insert a screw into the broken digit.

His ring and little fingers were in a splint when he appeared at a Chance to Shine event in Nottingham and England's first-choice spinner is still unsure when he will be available to take the field next.

But he thinks he will be fit for England's next Test assignment, when they begin their bid to reclaim the urn on November 21 in Perth, so much so he is already formulating plans for Australia's batters.