Injured Warne likely to miss Mumbai game

Shane Warne, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, is likely to miss his team's next match, against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, due a hamstring injury he suffered during Monday's game against Deccan Chargers.

Darren Berry, the Rajasthan coach, confirmed the injury but wasn't sure how many games Warne would miss. "He slightly stretched his hamstring in the field yesterday and we are waiting for the diagnosis today," he told Cricinfo. "It is only minor. At this stage we think he may miss one match but we are hoping that's the only game he misses. That's still to be determined and when the physio treats him today we'll have a better indication.

"If he has miraculous treatment in the next three days we will have him for the Mumbai Indians game but we don't know that yet."

A statement from the team management on Tuesday said Warne was currently working with the team doctor and more information would be available in the next 24 hours.

Graeme Smith, who is the senior-most player in the side after Warne and has led South Africa for six years, is likely to replace him as captain. "The logical choice is Graeme Smith, given that he is an international captain," Berry said.

Warne has been Rajasthan's leading wicket-taker with 11 from 10 matches at 26.27. The team is currently placed fourth on the points table, having played one more game than their nearest rivals, Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians, who play each other today.

Looking ahead to the rest of the tournament, Berry said the batsmen would have to step up if the team is to repeat the success from last season. "The main concern is we haven't been able to find consistent form with the bat," Berry said. "Our batting has very been spasmodic apart from Smith and [Naman] Ojha's fantastic 100-run partnership which set up the win against Punjab."

"We may have to win three out of three depending on how the other results go. It is in our hands now. One thing I've recognised about this team is that we have done well in pressure matches. We can't have another game like last night's performance against Deccan Chargers. The boys were all disappointed, so we made a commitment after the game that we will focus on game by game again. We are back in Durban where we did well in our last game there. Jeremy Snape, the team psychologist, and myself are working with the boys to get their confidence back and lead them towards the semi-finals."

Berry admitted that the team had been considerably weakened by the absence of Shane Watson, who has a groin injury and has been asked to rest by Cricket Australia before the World Twenty20, and Sohail Tanvir. "We had made our plans involving Watson so it was a significant blow to those plans and team make-up. I wasn't surprised by Cricket Australia's decision as I didn't think for one minute they were going to let him come with the groin injury with the Twenty20 World Cup coming up it. But without him and Sohail Tanvir, the bowler of the IPL last year, we have actually done really well to be still there in the competition even if we have been inconsistent."

The team's problems have been further compounded by the loss of two of their fast bowlers - Kamran Khan and Amit Singh - because of suspect actions. "Actually, Kamran hurt his knee, which has put him out for six weeks," Berry said. "Yes, his action was questioned and we are seeking some assistance on the matter. He was not reported. The technical committee wanted to have a close look at his action.

"With Amit Singh it has been identified that his slower ball is under question. A professional biomechanist and former South African bowling coach Vincent Barnes are working on Amit."