Jason Anderson, the Cleveland County wicketkeeper-batsman, is in a race to recover from injury before his team’s Eastern Counties Cup defence against Bailey’s Bay at Sea Breeze Oval this month.

Anderson played an integral part in Cleveland’s first-round upset of champions St David’s, blasting 76 at the top of the order that laid the foundation for the challengers’ formidable total of 282 for eight declared.

The opening batsman’s innings, which included nine fours and four sixes, earned him the man-of-the-match award.

But concerns have been raised as to whether Anderson will be available for the second-round clash with Bay after he fractured his right index finger last week on the second day of Cup Match, when he was struck by a Malachi Jones ball.

After being treated at hospital, Anderson showed enormous character by returning to bat in the St George’s second innings, adding 15 runs to his score before being dismissed for 19.

His bravery earned him the Warrington “Soup” Zuill Sportsmanship Award, which he will be presented with next month.

Incidentally, Anderson fractured the same finger that he had injured earlier in the season.

“I was actually nursing this finger from a league game against Somerset,” he said. “I think it was Justin Donawa, the young pace bowler, who gave me a ball that rose and hit the same finger.”

Anderson is hoping to recover in time for the county match against Bay next Saturday. “I am just hoping that if I continue to follow the procedures that the hospital staff gave me, I should be all right for the match,” he said.

To avoid further damaging his finger, Anderson will likely skip Cleveland’s Premier Division match with Willow Cuts at Wellington Oval tomorrow.

“I may have to sit it out in preparation for the county game,” he said. “I should be all right by that time, but in the meantime I am going to be doing a lot of icing and swimming so hopefully I can get myself in order.”