Hopes high on recovery

Australian one-day cricketer James Hopes was hopeful a shoulder injury won’t derail his chances of representing Australia in the upcoming one-day tour of New Zealand.

Hopes dislocated his shoulder during Queensland’s Pura Cup match at the Adelaide Oval against South Australia but scans have cleared him of serious damage and the all-rounder is likely to be back in action within three to four weeks.

The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the 27-year-old, who is trying to establish himself in the Australian one-day squad after breaking through in last season’s tour of New Zealand.

‘When I fell and first did it I had never experienced a sensation like it, it was really painful the first night and I did initially think I was going to be out for a while,’ he said.

‘I’m not in a rush for the three one-dayers in December but it’s my goal to play in the Pura Cup match against New South Wales a week before the selectors name the squad and if they feel fit to pick me then they feel fit to pick me, that’s all I can do really.’

Hopes had plenty of sympathy for friend and Queensland teammate Shane Watson, who dislocated his shoulder during Australia’s first Test victory over the West Indies at the Gabba earlier this month.

‘It’s frustrating to be injured giving the timing of it for both of us, especially for me as Queensland has a hectic block over the next few weeks,’ he said.

‘But if this is the worst injury I suffer in my career then I’ll be very happy.

‘I’m still setting my sights on the New Zealand tour, I’ll give myself every chance to play on the tour and that means I have to have played cricket.’