Broken foot cuts down leading wicket-taker

Bollinger to miss rest of season

Cricinfo staff

February 20, 2008

	Doug Bollinger was jumping for joy earlier in the season but not after breaking his foot this week © Getty Images

Matthew Mott, the New South Wales coach, says the loss of Doug Bollinger is a huge setback for the Blues as they build towards the Pura Cup final in mid-March. Bollinger has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his foot in this week's four-day game against Victoria.

He is the leading Pura Cup wicket-taker this summer with 45 victims at 15.44, a collection that placed him high on the Australian selectors' list of back-up fast bowlers. Bollinger's injury requires a minimum four to six weeks of recovery time, which means he is virtually no chance for the decider which starts on March 15.

"It was just terrible for Doug," Mott told AAP. "He has been the heart and soul of our bowling attack this year. He was probably knocking on the [Australian] selectors' door. It's a massive blow for us."

Mott said Mark Cameron, who took ten wickets in the Pura Cup draw this week, would be fit for the rest of the season despite missing Wednesday's FR Cup game. Although New South Wales and Victoria have already qualified for the Pura Cup final, the next two rounds will remain important as the teams vie for the right to host the match.

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