Warne Out With Hand Injury

Shane Warne has been ruled out of the fourth Test between Australia and India with a broken right thumb.

Leg-spinner Warne was forced out of consideration on the eve of the series finale at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, after sustaining the fracture while batting in the nets.

The Hampshire captain, the record wicket-taker in Test history, experienced pain throughout the day and an x-ray revealed the damage.

"This series has been one of the true highlights of my career, so I'm really disappointed I won't be able to finish it off on the right note," said Warne.

"It would have been a great thrill to be on hand when we received the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the end of this Test, but I'm satisfied with the knowledge that I helped contribute to our series win.

"I have every confidence that the boys can achieve our aim of winning the series 3-0. I'm just flat knowing I won't be there for it."

Warne, 35, now faces a race against time to be fit for the home series with New Zealand, which begins on November 18.

"The scans have detected a fracture in his right thumb, and given the amount of cricket on the horizon, we feel that it is in his best interests to get home now and rest," said Australia physio Errol Alcott.

"We can't predict a return date for Shane, but we will review him in the lead-up to the first Test in Brisbane."