Mason out for Worcestershire

Matt Mason © Getty Images

Worcestershire seam bowler Matt Mason will be unavailable for the first fortnight of the season because of a shoulder problem.

Mason underwent surgery in the winter on the injury which hampered him last season and has taken longer than expected to recover.

The former Western Australia player will definitely miss the opening LV County Championship fixture with Durham at New Road starting on April 18.

He is hoping to be available to be part of the county’s attack from the early part of May.

Mason played a leading part in helping Worcestershire gain promotion in the one-day and four-day competitions last season.

The bowler hit Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne in the face during a one-day game in 2007 while Warne was captaining Hampshire - it was also Warne's birthday.