Shane Warne is rated a 50-50 chance of playing for Australia in its two Tests against Sri Lanka next month following news that he doesn't need surgery for a broken bone in his left hand.

Warne, who broke the metacarpal bone in his hand while batting for English county Hampshire against Essex on Friday, will have his recovery monitored by Cricket Australia medical staff before a decision is made for the Tests in Darwin and Cairns.

"Shane consulted with a hand specialist in England overnight and the pleasing news is that he won't require surgery," said Cricket Australia medical officer Dr Trefor James today.

"In consultation with the medicos at Hampshire, we will be doing everything possible to speed his recovery, but at this stage it appears as if he is a 50-50 prospect of being available for the Test matches.

"We will keep a close eye on his recovery over the next couple of weeks and pass on our findings to the selectors," he said.

With the first Test starting in Darwin on July 1, selection chairman Trevor Hohns said no decision had yet been made on a possible replacement.

Fellow legspinner Stuart McGill is the obvious choice if needed.

"We will give (Warne) as much time...as possible, but if he isn't 100 per cent fit then he won't be selected," said Hohns.

"At this stage though, no player has been placed on standby or nominated as a possible replacement for Shane.

"We just want to see how the injury progresses over the next few weeks before looking at that scenario."

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