Cricket: Franklin foregoes contract for surgery

New Zealand allrounder James Franklin has been forced to flag away his English county cricket contract with Glamorgan to undergo knee surgery.

Franklin underwent a precautionary scan in South Africa this week and was advised to have surgery on torn cartilage.

Glamorgan confirmed on their website that New Zealand Cricket had withdrawn Franklin from the contract on medical advice.

"We're bitterly disappointed, naturally. We were particularly looking forward to him joining us as he's been in such good form for New Zealand recently," Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin said.

"I know James himself is very disappointed. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope there will be an opportunity for him to play for Glamorgan some time in the future."

Franklin was expected to join the Cardiff-based team today and make his debut in the one-day match against Sussex on Sunday.

The Wellington left-armer was one of few success stories on the just-completed test series in South Africa.

He scored 168 runs at an average of 56.00, including his maiden test century at Cape Town, and was New Zealand's leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps at 25.60.

Franklin's misfortune follows that of test teammate Shane Bond, who was forced out of his contract with Gloucestershire due to a knee injury which forced him home from South Africa.

It leaves Stephen Fleming (Nottinghamshire), allrounder Scott Styris (Middlesex) and batsman Hamish Marshall (Gloucestershire) as the New Zealand test players on the county circuit this year.

New Zealand's next international assignment is not until the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in India in October.

- NZPA