KENT’S luckless skipper David Fulton faces another enforced lay-off after fracturing his thumb against Lancashire on Sunday.

The 31-year-old batsman was playing in his first championship match since injuring his right eye in pre-season training when he was hit on the right thumb on Sunday by Lancashire pace bowler Peter Martin.

Though he batted bravely on to hit an encouraging 37, x-rays later revealed a fracture to the thumb. He said: "Obviously I am disappointed about the break, but there were things to be pleased about with the innings," said Fulton.

"I saw the ball clearly throughout and it was good for me to spend time out there on a pitch that was helping the bowlers.

"Ed Smith and I worked out a plan that I stay down one end and play Gary Keedy, because he was turning it square, while Ed stayed down the other end and saw off the seamers.

"It was all going well until we changed ends and Martin trapped my thumb against the bat handle with one that reared up. It squeezed the plastic protector inside my glove together and I had to change my glove, but I more or less knew straight away it was broken."

Fulton now looks set to miss Wednesday’s local derby clash with Sussex in Tunbridge Wells and the county’s five-match Twenty20 Cup campaign starting on Monday, June 16.

With Rob Key absent on England duty over the same period, it leaves Kent with Michael Carberry as their only recognised opening bat.