Warne undergoes operation on spinning finger

Australian Test leg-spinner Shane Warne has successfully undergone an operation to have two pins inserted in his broken finger, the Victorian Cricket Association said Sunday.

VCA doctor Trevor James said the surgery went "pretty much as expected".

James said it would be impossible to predict a return date for Warne, who has said he hopes to be recovered in time for the fourth Boxing Day Test against the touring West Indies here.

"It all depends on how his finger responds to surgery," James said.

"It will need to be immobilised for two to three weeks and after that it's a matter of getting the required movement back into the finger."

Warne will be released from hospital on Monday so he can join his Australian team-mates at their camp in Queensland this week.

Warne broke the ring finger of his right hand while taking a head-high catch in the slips to dismiss Mark Waugh during Victoria's Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales here on Thursday.

Mail Cricket Editor