New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson is set to undergo surgery for his injured back that will sideline him for up to four months. Jamieson who had already missed many months of cricket due to a stress fracture of his back, and was named in the New Zealand squad for the ongoing England Test series, is suspected to have another stress fracture to the back.
Jamieson, who made quite an impressive debut for New Zealand in 2020, was set to make his comeback to international cricket, after being out of action due to back issues which first emerged in June while touring England last year. He was supposed to make his return to cricket against England before subsequent MRI scans and consultations with a back surgeon confirmed the need for surgery.
No specific timeline has been put on 27-year-old Jamieson's recovery. Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead hoped the operation and necessary rehabilitation would serve him well in the long term.
"Kyle has seen a back surgeon and is getting surgery later in the week. 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. We just wish him well and hope we'll know more in three to four months of what that end prognosis looks for him as well,” Gary Stead said.
"A number of world-class players have had surgery in the back and it's different periods of time they recover. We just want Kyle [to get] the best chance of recovery because we know what a star he's been for us. Surgery provides a quicker return to play and that's the encouraging thing for him,” he added.
Now the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation will keep Jamieson out of cricket for some time and he is set to miss the home series against Sri Lanka in March-April, the away tour to Pakistan in April-May as well as the Indian Premier League 2023 season.
He had been bought by Chennai Super Kings for INR 1 cr for the upcoming IPL season which begins March 31. Jamieson could target New Zealand's tour of England in August for a potential return.
“We want to give him the best chance of recovery because we know what a star he has been for us," Stead said.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
