WARWICKSHIRE CCC have suffered a huge blow ahead of the start of the County Championship season after overseas signing Tom Latham sustained a broken hand.
The Bears signed New Zealand Test captain Latham on a one-year-deal to play in all three formats in November.
However, Latham will miss the next four to six weeks of action after breaking his right hand in training.
The injury occurred while Latham was training with his domestic club side Canterbury.
The club hope Latham will be fit to return for Warwickshire’s trip to Yorkshire at the start of May.
Warwickshire first team coach, Ian Westwood said: “Tom’s due to arrive with us on April 8 so he was always missing the first game of the season.
“If the injury heals well, he’ll only sit out two games for us, that’s what we’re hoping for.
“Clearly it’s disappointing but he’s with us for the duration of the season so will have plenty of time to make his mark.”
Warwickshire begin their County Championship Division One campaign against Sussex on Friday, April 4.
Sussex are returning to Division One for the first time in a decade.
The fixture also sees former Bears first team coach Mark Robinson make a swift return to Edgbaston.
Warwickshire and Robinson parted ways by mutual consent less than two months before the start of the new season.
The Bears acted swiftly to replace Robinson with assistant coach Westwood.
And Robinson has since joined the Sussex coaching team on a short-term deal.
Warwickshire host Sussex on Friday, April 4 with the game to begin at 11am at Edgbaston.
