Mark Wagh will miss the remainder of the season after exploratory surgery revealed a crater in the articular cartilage on his left knee.

Wagh, who limped out of Warwickshire?s first Championship match of the season in early April, will remain on crutches for the next four weeks and should be fit to resume playing in three months. The injury is not thought to be career-threatening.

?At least there are no doubts what the problem is now,? a phlegmatic Wagh told The Post. ?In a way it?s a relief to get to the bottom of the problem. It?s been incredibly frustrating and boring but at least the end is in sight now.?

Wagh will look to go abroad from January in search of cricket.

Nick Knight, Warwick-shire?s captain, said: ?It?s a shocking blow for Mark - and for Michael Powell [who has been ruled out until September with shin splints]. But we have to look at it as an opportunity for other players.?

An oxymoron it may be but Wagh?s left knee is his Achilles heel. It was that same knee that he injured at the start of the 2003 season when he appeared to be on the brink of the England team, and the 28-year-old?s slim chances of finally fulfilling his extravagant talent have been all but ended by this season?s injury hiatus. He should, however, be fully fit and raring to go at the start of next season.