Ashley has developed a defect known as a Gilmore?s Groin. This could account for the pain he suffers after he runs. Ashley will undergo surgical repair in the near future. It is hoped that this will enable him to return to cricket later this season.

He is still experiencing pain in his right shin and with the Test series against Sri Lanka due to start in early May, we have decided that the safest course of action is to rest him.

I do fear for him if he has to have further surgery in such a short period of time since the last one. We were hoping to get him fit with injection and physiotherapy but it is not looking too good today.

We always had this window to try to get him fit with the maximum amount of rest we could afford before the tour. We were very happy with his progress, the little bit of soreness was predictable. It just got worse in the nets so we decided to inject his knee and hope it will make him all right for next week.

The advice we received from Ashley's specialist is that it will take time to derive full benefit from the surgery he underwent in December.

Surgery is an option, but the advice we have received from two leading specialists is that the injury may still settle without recourse to an operation.