Middlesex batsman to miss most of 2016 season

Middlesex batsman Andrew Balbirnie will miss most of the 2016 season with a hip injury that requires surgery.

The 25-year-old felt discomfort while away with Ireland in the winter and did not feature in their World Twenty20 campaign.

Tests on the injury showed he would need an operation to correct issues within the joint.

The surgery is likely to take place in the next couple of weeks and Middlesex estimate he will be out for four to five months.

Balbirnie played five T20 matches last season and also scored 41 against Essex in the Royal London One-Day Cup.