Shane Warne today confirmed that the broken finger he incurred yesterday in catching Mark Waugh would sideline him for the first six to eight weeks of the season.

Warne will undergo surgery, most probably over the weekend, to correct the damage and will be unavailable for at least Australia's first three Tests against the touring West Indies.

"I never had many injuries over the first ten years of my career, but the last three or four I've had a lot of setbacks. This is another one, but I've got to stay positive," Warne said at this morning's press conference.

"I'm definitely out of the first three Test matches, which is very disappointing. I've been bowling really well, in England I bowled the best I have for about five years."

Warne had only recently finished a fine but unrewarded spell when the incident occurred and could see the irony in the situation. "I probably knew it wasn't going to be my day yesterday when the ball hit the stumps and the bails didn't come off. I beat Bevo a couple of times, but that's the way it goes."

VCA Team Doctor Trefor James downplayed the likelihood of a premature return for the champion leg-spinner.

"An early return is highly unlikely. It depends a bit on what's found at the time of the operation and how the finger responds to the surgery, but I think six weeks is the best case scenario," James said.

"The problem with the fracture is that if Shane attempts to move the finger, that will stop it from healing properly. It's not a bad fracture, but it's Shane's spinning finger and he's a professional cricketer."

Surprisingly Warne didn't rule out playing a part for the Bushrangers with the bat if required later in the game.

"I'll wait and see how the game goes. If I'm needed as a bat, then I'll probably wait to have the surgery on Sunday night or Monday."

© 2000 Victorian Cricket Association