Ian Harvey hopes to make India tour

Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey said on Monday he hopes to be included in the squad for the five-match one-day series in India, starting later this month despite having a fractured thumb.

"Hopefully things will be right for India," Harvey told a news conference in Melbourne.

"It's getting better each day," said Harvey, who has taken 26 wickets in 27 one-day internationals for Australia.

The Australian Cricket Board is expected to announce the one-day squad later this week.

The series starts in Bangalore on March 25.

Harvey, 28, a right-handed batsman and medium-pacer, suffered a hairline fracture of the tip of his right thumb while batting during Victoria's four-day interstate match against Tasmania in Hobart on Saturday.

He was unable to bat in the second innings on Monday, instead returning to Melbourne for treatment.

ACB doctor Trefor James said Harvey's injury could take up to three weeks to heal although the all-rounder has not been ruled out of Victoria's game against New South Wales starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Mail Cricket Editor