Harbhajan Singh will not be joining English County cricket club Lancashire.

The ace India off-spinner, who was due to arrive at Old Trafford on Friday afternoon, contacted the club's cricket manager, Mike Watkinson, through his agent to say that after a fitness test on Thursday morning his injured finger is still swollen and painful.

The club thus, on Friday morning, decided to terminate the Indian's contract and informed the off-spinner of the same.

Harbhajan has been nursing a serious finger injury sustained during the World Cup, and reports suggest that he may need surgery to rectify the problem.

Watkinson said: "It's disappointing that Harbhajan won't be joining us but at least a firm decision has been taken. We wish him well for the future and trust that he will soon be fully recovered."

Carl Hooper, who has been standing in for Harbhajan, is now likely to have his contract as Lancashire's second overseas player extended till the end of the season.