A STRESS fracture to his right shin bone has stalled Nadeem Malik's progress in the toughest finishing school in world cricket.

The 22-year-old Worcestershire paceman, who arrived at New Road during the close season from Nottingham-shire, has joined South Perth in the first grade of the Perth League in Western Australia.

But after playing in just three matches, he has been forced onto the sidelines until the New Year.

The talented youngster, who wants to toughen up his bowling in order to establish himself in the Worcestershire first team, is now undergoing an extensive rehabilitation programme, and will remain in Australia until the start of pre-season training in March.

"I had problems with my right calf during a one-day game," said Malik. "But the injury is not serious and I should be running again in four weeks.

"The medical team here is as good as it is in England, so I decided to stay and work on my batting and slip-fielding, whilst I cannot bowl. If everything goes well, I will return to Worcestershire with two months of solid cricket behind me."

Worcestershire's Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, organised Malik's trip, which was funded by the Worcestershire County Cricket Supporters Club.

The impressive six-footer was the first Worcestershire bowler since Paul Thomas in 1995, to bag a five-wicket haul on his County Championship debut, but he was disappointed with his haul of 23 wickets at 31.04, at the end of last summer.

In the Totesport League, Malik captured 18 wickets at 20.16, and he finished top of the county averages in the Twenty20 Cup, with 10 wickets at 15.6.

Looking forward to 2005, his objective is to play in every match for Worcestershire, and win promotion from the Second Division of the County Championship.

Malik said: "In the modern game there is no room for tail-enders who cannot bat.

"Former wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes batted at nine for Worcestershire last season and has got first-class hundreds.

"I struggled with the bat all season but I am will do much better next year.

"We have a strong squad at New Road and winning promotion is our priority next season. I need to improve every aspect of my game to stay in the team."

Another of Worcestershire's young fast bowlers, David Wigley, is also spending the winter in Australia.

Wigley has joined the Mount Lawley team who defeated South Perth earlier this month.