DALE Benkenstein's column has had to be suspended after his shoulder operation was postponed and he was put on a course of antibiotics last week.

"There's a bug which lies dormant in most of us and waits for an opportunity to strike," he said. "It showed up that I have it when they did a test just before I was due to have the operation.

"It meant a five-day course of antibiotics and I have to go in for a re-test on Tuesday. But the specialist can't fit me in for the operation until June 5, which means it has been put back by two weeks.

"It's really frustrating because I had hoped to get back for the four championship games in September, but now it's going to be tough to get some cricket at the end of the season."