The injury-jinx which has plagued Richard Harden since he joined Yorkshire from Somerset at the start of last season struck again in Perth yesterday on the final day of the pre-season tour of Australia.

The 34-year-old batsman, guesting for the home side, Melville's Invitation XI, broke a bone in his right hand while facing Yorkshire's 17-year-old rookie pace bowler Gary Ramsden.

Harden was forced to retire hurt and is expected to have an operation on his damaged hand when he returns home with the rest of the party on Wednesday.

Last April, Harden fractured a bone in his first Championship match for his adopted county when he was hit on the left hand by Gloucestershire fast bowler Jon Lewis at Headingley.

The injury put him out of action for several weeks and when he returned in mid-season he was unable to re-discover his best form.

This is the last year of a two-year contract with Yorkshire and at the end of the summer Harden is expected to emigrate to New Zealand with his wife, Nickie, who is a Kiwi.

Harden had also struggled to find form in Australia and this latest injury blow must increase doubt over whether he has much first team cricket left in him for Yorkshire.

The blow to Harden soured an otherwise excellent day for Yorkshire, who won the match by 184 runs.

An unbeaten 61 from Gary Fellows hastened a declaration at 201 for seven which left Mellville's Invitation XI a victory target of 249 but they were skittled for 64 with Matthew Hoggard picking up for four 12 to add to his first innings figures of five for 28.

Spinner Ian Fisher took two for 13 and there was a wicket apiece for Ramsden and James Middlebrook.

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