LONDON. Sept 8 (AFP/ Internet): England spin bowler Robert Croft is to have knee surgery on Tuesday in the hope he will then be fit for the start of this winter's Ashes tour of Australia.

Croft will miss the remaining matches of Glamorgan's season to correct the problem, which was diagnosed following a scan as a small cartilage tear.

Although the short-term prognosis was good, the club's medical advisers consulted with England officials and felt it was sensible to correct the defect now as the team departs for Australia within six weeks.