Cricket: Papps out for six weeks

Canterbury will be without in-form opening batsman Michael Papps for the rest of their State Shield cricket campaign after injuring a finger.

Papps injured the tendons in his left index finger when taking an outfield catch during third-placed Canterbury's 118-run defeat of competition leaders Otago at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Saturday. He is expected to be out for six weeks.

Papps has scored 357 State shield runs this summer at an average of almost 90.

"He will be missed; he has been playing very well for us," Canterbury coach Dave Nosworthy told The Press newspaper.

- NZPA