New Zealand Cricket (NZC) revealed on Saturday, February 17, that star fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will be sidelined for close to an year due to a stress fracture in his back.
Jamieson suffered another back stress fracture during the first Test against South Africa in Mount Maunganui, where he recorded impressive match figures of 6-93.
But after experiencing pain in the back, the towering seamer underwent a scan and was seated for the second Test at Seddon Park, where New Zealand recorded a historic win in the Test series against South Africa.
Now, scans have confirmed a fresh injury in the same area as the previous fracture for which Jamieson underwent surgery last February.
However, the team's medical experts have opted against another operation at this time. After which, the 29-year-old pacer expressed his frustration with facing another period of rehabilitation.
Kyle Jamieson said in an official statement: “It’s been an emotional journey over the last few days, just trying to get your head around the fact it’s another extended stint on the sidelines. I know injuries are part of life as a cricketer and at my age I’m hopeful I still have many more playing days ahead of me.”
He added, “But I’ve definitely seen there’s a path forward and optimism around this recovery and what I can come back to. It’s just about trying to have faith in that and have faith in the bigger picture, and know that I can get back and get through this. In time, it’ll be a little blip on the radar and we’ll have some good stuff to show for it, I’m sure.”
However, New Zealand the pacer is optimistic about making a strong comeback after the rehab. Jamieson noted, “There’s a couple of patterns over the past few years — and you kind of have to have these setbacks to notice them as patterns — around some of the way you build up for red-ball cricket. History suggests that when you get that process right there’s still a lot of cricket to be played.”
He further said, “I get a huge amount of hope from that. Those moments, if I can do that when my back’s maybe not holding up as well as it you’d like, then what am I gonna be like when it’s good? I’ll just keep that vision in mind and keep trying to chase that and come out the other side.”
Jamieson signed off by saying, “I know some of the hurdles I’ll have to overcome, probably more mentally and emotionally. The physical side is the easy part — you just rest and build back up. It’s almost autopilot in a way. It’s tough, because you don’t want to go through it again. You hope that each time is that last time. But I’m also six-foot-eight and I’m trying to bowl fast, so I know it’s part of the journey. And I’m also 29 so I know there’s a fair amount of cricket to be played.”
(With AFP Inputs)
