After losing the Test series to England at Nottingham on Tuesday with two consecutive losses in the three-match series, New Zealand suffered another setback as their pacer Kyle Jamieson was ruled out for the third and final Test due to a back injury.
Jamieson will return home after a scan indicated a stress reaction in his lower back, which he suffered while bowling on the third day of the second Test at Trent Bridge recently.
According to New Zealand coach Gary Stead’s estimation, Jamieson will need four to six weeks of recuperation, before beginning a rehabilitation program to return to play in September or October.
"Kyle had played such a big role in the first Test at Lord's and I know how disappointed he was to have had his involvement in the second Test curtailed. He's obviously a huge asset for us and we'll be making sure we are patient with his recovery to ensure he returns fully fit with plenty more important cricket still to come later this year," coach Stead said.
Pacer Blair Tickner, who was in the squad for their early tour games, has been called back and will be in Leeds before the commencement of the third Test next week on Thursday. Tickner has not played any Test as of yet but has played for the Black Caps in 10 limited-overs international games.
With 72 wickets to his name in only 16 Tests, the towering seamer was one of New Zealand’s main bowlers, and his absence will be a huge blow to New Zealand’s ambitions of rescuing series honor at Headingley.
In the first Test defeat at Lord's, he bowled with vigor, taking six wickets for 99 runs.
On the final day at Trent Bridge, Jamieson’s absence was felt as England steered to 299 for five, with Jonny Bairstow (136) and captain Ben Stokes (75 not out) laying down aggressive knocks against a trembling New Zealand attack.
(AFP inputs)
