NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson is set to undergo a back surgery that his set to rule him out of action for approximately four months. Jamieson, who was named in the home Test series against England was set to return for the first Test at the Bay Oval, but was ruled out due to what was suspected to be a stress fracture on his back.
Jamieson, who has 72 wickets from 16 Tests, has been out of action since he pulled out of the tour of England last year. Since then, he had made a successful return to domestic cricket and also played a warm-up game in Hamilton ahead of the ongoing Test series. He was not named in the XI after the scans showed the extent of his injury.
"Kyle has seen a back surgeon and is getting surgery later in the week," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
"It's been a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a big loss for us. He has been fantastic when he has been around all of our sides when he has been part of them."
As a result, Jamieson is expected to miss home series against Sri Lanka in March-April, the away tour of Pakistan in April-May and also the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, starting March 31. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had secured the pacer's services for INR 1 crore at the auction.
"We just wish him well, and we will know more in about three to four months about what that end prognosis looks like for him. Surgery provides a quicker return to play and that's the encouraging thing for him. We want to give him the best chance of recovery because we know what a star he has been for us," Stead said.
New Zealand suffered a 267-run loss in the first Test against England in Mount Maunganui. Matt Henry is expected to be back for the second Test in Wellington, starting February 24, after fast bowler Jacob Duffy and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi were released from the squad to play in the Plunket Shield.
Henry missed the first Test due to the birth of his first child.
