Leeds: All-rounder Craig White will be out of action for England for three months after undergoing surgery just days ahead of the start of the English cricket season. White, 33, struggled throughout the northern winter with a side injury which cut short his involvement in the Ashes tour of Australia and almost forced him out of the World Cup. In a statement, White's county Yorkshire said, "Following problems with his side throughout the winter, investigations revealed problems with the bottom rib and he underwent surgery this (Wednesday) morning." "The surgeon has removed a piece of rib approximately two inches in length. This will rule him out of any England selection for approximately three months but it is hoped that he will return to county cricket sooner." If the medical predictions are correct, White will miss the two Test home series against Zimbabwe starting in May and the three One-day Internationals against Pakistan in June. However, a mid-July comeback could see White available for the five-Test series against main tourists South Africa. Copyright AFP 2001

Tags: cricket, craig white, surgery, english cricket season, ashes tour, rib, zimbabwe's tour of england.