Mousley: “I’m on the way back and feeling fit and strong”

Dan Mousley will get bat back in hand tomorrow on the way back from the deep frustration of a third broken finger in a year.

After missing much of the 2021 campaign due to two separate fractured digits, the 20-year-old started this season in Warwickshire’s team and made an impressive 43 in the championship opener against Surrey at Edgbaston.

Then came the cruel blow of another break, sustained to a little finger during a fielding drill, and another six weeks out. But Mousley is on his way back with the encouraging news that his series of fractures are down to rotten luck rather than any ongoing fragility in his fingers.

“I did ask that question, of course, because it was a concern, but it is just down to bad luck,” he said. “We will see whether there is anything I can do, like use extra strapping, but apparently there is no weakness there. It has just been down to three freak injuries in fielding practice.

“The first break and the latest one were to the same finger but they weren’t connected. It’s just been bad luck and hopefully I’ve had my share of that for quite a long time now.

“The good news is I’m on the way back and feeling fit and strong after doing a lot of work with our S & C, Jack Murfin. This week I did some top-hand batting drills with our physio Gerhard Mostert and on Wednesday I should get my first full hits in.

Dan Mousley

“After so much time in the gym, it’s just great to get bat back in hand. It’s been very frustrating because I felt good against Surrey and did okay, but I’ve just got to be patient and listen to our brilliant medical team because the last thing I want is to hurry back too soon and aggravate the injury.”

Mousley should be back in first-team contention by the end of this month, just as the Vitality Blast is getting underway.

“I can’t wait to be playing again,” he said. “The boys have started the season well so I’ve just got to score as many runs as I can for the 2nds and hopefully force my way back into the first team in the red ball and T20.”