MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP - All-rounder Craig White is the latest victim of the injury curse that has plagued England throughout this Ashes tour.

A scan last night showed White had suffered a tear to his side muscle, meaning he might not bowl for another six weeks.

White has been England's best player in this fourth Ashes Test with three wickets in Australia's first innings of 6 (dec)-551 and a top score of 85 not out in England's reply of 270.

"It could be six weeks before I'm right to bowl again. We're going to wait and see after this Test and see how it feels," he said.

"I've bowled a few overs on this tour, so I think it's just wear-and-tear."

White added it was "probably touch and go" as to whether he would be fit to bowl in the World Cup in two months.

He said he first felt a twinge on day one of this Test.

He needed strapping and painkillers yesterday and bowled at half pace.

He also felt pain while playing cross-batted shots in his innings.

White felt bowling in his current state would be like asking someone to bat with a broken thumb.

He was also doubtful as to whether England would play him as a specialist batsman after his form at the crease in this Test.

"That could be the case, but I'm in the team as an all-rounder," he said.

"So if I'm not bowling, I don't think I will be playing."

Despite this setback, White was pleased with his form on this tour.

He was not in the original Test squad and was in Australia to prepare for the one-dayers.

White is England's leading wicket taker with 14 and his unbeaten knock here represented a return to Test batting form.

Playing in a Boxing Test also fulfilled a long-standing dream for White.

He was raised in Australia, wearing his England T-shirt 20 years ago as he watched the tourists win the Boxing Day Test by three runs.

After two matches for Victoria in 1990 as an off-spinner, White moved to England and made his Test debut in 1994.

"It's gone well personally, I was in Adelaide just to prove my fitness for the one-day tour ... it's nice, a good feeling," he said of this tour.

© 2002 AAP NewsWire

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.