MELBOURNE, Australia,  CMC – Australian middle order batsman Marcus North has been cleared of serious damage but could still be in doubt for the first Test against West Indies after sustaining a wrist injury in a domestic One-day game yesterday.

The 30-year-old, left-hander, whose seven Tests have already yielded three centuries, suffered a bruised and swollen left wrist while leading Western Australia against Victoria.

He was sent to hospital for X-rays but returned to bat at number eight after scans showed no serious damage.

“There’s no break which is good. It hit me in an awkward spot and cracked a vein open which caused a lot of swelling,” said North, expected to help form Australia’s batting juggernaut for the three-Test series against West Indies.  “It’s a bit uncomfortable and it’s a bit embarrassing because I couldn’t hit them off the square. It’s not ideal but all’s good. Hopefully I’ll ice it the next couple of days and see if it pulls up alright for Tuesday [when Western Australia play Victoria].” He batted with heavy strapping on his wrist on forearm and experienced great difficulty in hitting the ball during his knock of 19.

North was eventually the last to fall as Western Australia went down by 91 runs.

Australia face West Indies in the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane starting November 26, before playing subsequent Tests in Adelaide (December 4-8) and in Perth (December 16-20).

Australia have had several injury concerns of recent with pacers Brett Lee and Peter Siddle fighting for fitness and vice-captain Michael Clarke recovering from a lower back ailment.