Meet our team at the Cricket Injury Clinic

Mr. Kunal Hinduja MSc, MBChB, MRCS, FRCS 

Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon  

Mr. Hinduja is a highly regarded senior orthopaedic surgeon, recognised as one of the leading experts in hand and wrist surgery across Manchester and the North West of England. Since he was appointed a consultant in 2010, Kunal has gained extensive experience in treating a wide range of sports-related injuries, particularly in cricket. He is skilled in addressing various conditions, such as hand and finger strains, fractures, and jersey finger, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and effective care tailored to their individual needs. 

Kunal is an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Manchester, actively engaging with medical students and trainees to support their development in orthopaedic surgery. He is a distinguished professional who has received numerous accolades for his contributions to orthopaedics, including prestigious awards for his research and clinical practice. Furthermore, Mr Hinduja has authored several medical papers that advance treatment methodologies. 

Mr. Richard Heasley – MBChB, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth)

Consultant Shoulder and Upper Limb Surgeon

Mr. Richard Heasley is a Consultant Shoulder and Upper Limb Surgeon specialising in shoulder surgery, including arthroscopic (keyhole) procedures and shoulder replacement surgeries. 

He treats patients with a wide range of shoulder and upper limb issues, such as impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability (dislocations), shoulder arthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, and golfer's elbow, as well as traumatic conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow. 

Mr. Heasley also runs clinics that address both acute and chronic sports injuries, including shoulder instability, SLAP tears, acromioclavicular joint injuries (collarbone joint), dislocations, rotator cuff tears, distal biceps ruptures, and tendinopathies around the shoulder and elbow. 

His experience in treating injuries related to cricket in both adolescents and adults has been enhanced by his two sons, who are active members of the Heaton Mersey Cricket Club. Additionally, his wife serves as the leader of the Heaton Mersey and Cheadle Women's Cricket Team. 

Mr Thomas Finnigan - MA Cantab, MBCHB, FRCS Tr & Orth 

Consultant Knee Surgeon 

Mr. Thomas Finnigan is an esteemed consultant specialist in knee surgery. His expertise includes knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement, and the treatment of soft tissue knee injuries such as ligament, meniscal, and cartilage injuries. He also specialises in knee osteoarthritis, articular cartilage repair (ACL), and knee arthroscopy surgery. 

He completed his pre-clinical studies at Cambridge University, graduating with distinction from Manchester University. He then pursued further surgical training in the North West Deanery.

Mr. Finnigan strongly believes in a patient-specific approach, tailoring treatment options to meet the individual needs of each patient. He takes time to understand patients' needs, concerns, and goals. He works closely with physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans that promote optimal recovery and long-term outcomes. 

Mr Rajat Verma - MSc, FRCS, FRCS (Orth)

Consultant Adult and Paediatric Spinal Surgeon

Mr. Rajat Verma specialises in treating back pain and various issues related to degenerative spine conditions. He is trained in performing microdiscectomies, microdecompressions, and various fusion techniques, as well as spinal instrumentation.

His clinical expertise encompasses disorders of the lumbar spine, orthopaedic surgery, osteoarthritis, pediatric orthopaedics, spinal surgery, back pain, degenerative lumbar spine disorders, sciatica, spinal injuries, infections, and tumours. He offers specialised treatments, including decompression surgery for spinal stenosis, lumbar fusion, microdiscectomy (for back pain), and surgery for spinal tumours.

In addition to his private practice, Mr. Verma serves as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Salford Royal Hospital and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. After completing his higher surgical training in the North West, he pursued a complex spinal surgery fellowship under the supervision of Dr. R.W. Gaines Jr., MD, at the prestigious Columbia Regional Hospital, University of Missouri, USA. 

Rajat has published papers in peer-reviewed journals and has research interests in spinal deformity and degenerative back conditions.

Professor Waqar Bhatti - MBChB FRCS(Ed) DMRD FRCR(Lon)

Consultant in Musculoskeletal and Sports Radiology

Professor Bhatti is a highly recognised and accomplished consultant in Musculoskeletal and Sports Radiology. 

Since 2007, he has served as the personal radiologist for both of  Manchester's  premier football clubs. He has also worked with Lancashire County Cricket Club and several rugby teams.  Additionally, he was a radiologist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and provided support for the Olympic teams based in Manchester during the 2012 Games. 

Professor Bhatti supports British Cycling, British Athletics, the national Taekwondo team, and the women's netball team, along with numerous other sports professionals, including boxers and golfers.

He holds positions as a professor at two local universities: an honorary professorship at  Salford  University's  Manchester School of Health Sciences and a visiting professorship at Manchester Metropolitan  University's  Department of Health Professions.  Throughout his career, he has delivered  over a thousand lectures at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels and has been recognised internationally with two Cum Laude awards.

 Professor Bhatti specialises in: 

- Imaging techniques, including X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs, for musculoskeletal conditions. 

- Diagnosis and treatment of joint, muscle, and sports-related issues. 

- Joint injection therapies include steroid injections for inflammation, hyaluronic acid for lubrication, and dextrose for ligament strength. 

- Shoulder treatments for conditions such as frozen shoulders, calcium buildup in tendons, and chronic rotator cuff pain. 

- Biological treatments include autologous conditioned plasma for early osteoarthritis, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for tendon problems, and fat-derived stem cell therapy.

Athlete 1st is a premier provider of strength and conditioning services, focusing on long-term athlete development and return-to-play programmes in various sports, particularly cricket.

Led by Head Coach Liam Colbon and supported by Lead Junior Coach Sam Bailey, the team has collaborated with Cheshire Cricket's Emerging Player Programme (EPP) to deliver strength and conditioning training to developing cricketers. They have individually supported over 30 athletes, especially junior fast bowlers, helping them build the necessary physical foundations to bowl faster, avoid injuries, and manage training loads.

Athlete 1st also addresses cricket-related issues, such as lumbar stress fractures, by aligning training with the sport’s technical demands in partnership with experts like fast bowling coach Stefan Jones.

The organisation features the Future Athlete Pathway, a year-round programme that guides young athletes through crucial growth stages. As performance partners of the Cricket Injury Clinic, they utilise cutting-edge testing and tailored strength and conditioning to help cricketers maximise their potential and remain on the field.

Ross Dewar

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Ross Dewar is one of the most experienced Strength & Conditioning coaches in English cricket, with over 22 years working at the professional level. He has served as Lead S&C Coach for Worcestershire, Northamptonshire, and Somerset, helping countless players prepare, perform, and recover at the highest level of the game.

Specialising in cricket-specific fitness and injury rehab, Ross has guided players through everything from preseason conditioning to complex return-to-play plans after stress fractures, back injuries, and soft tissue issues. His programs combine evidence-based strength training, mobility work, and skill-specific conditioning to keep cricketers robust and match-ready.

Ross now runs Cricket Strength, where he and his team helps players of all levels build resilience, improve bowling mechanics, and recover from setbacks faster. His no-nonsense, results-focused approach has earned him a reputation for getting players not just back on the park, but back performing at their peak, covering physical, technical, tactical and physchological aspects of the game.