Veteran Kiwi pacer Tim Southee will undergo surgery on Thursday (September 21) to treat the thumb injury he sustained in the fourth and final ODI against England at Lord’s last week.

During the 14th over of England’s innings, the 34-year-old dived across with both hands while attempting to take Joe Root’s catch but the ball hit his thumb and deflected to third man.

Later, an x-ray confirmed that Southee dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb.

A decision on his availability for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India will be taken early next week once the results of the surgery are known.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead remained hopeful Southee could recover in time to be available for the tournament.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed the surgery goes well for Tim,” Stead said in a statement issued by NZC.

“He’ll have some pins or screws inserted in his right thumb and, providing the procedure is a success, it will be a matter of ensuring Tim can tolerate the pain and manage the actual wound when returning to train and play.

“Our opening game of the World Cup against England is not until Thursday October 5 in Ahmedabad, so that would be our logical target in terms of his availability.

“Tim’s obviously a hugely experienced and important figure in our team and we want to give him every chance to be part of this World Cup campaign.”

New Zealand’s World Cup-bound players are currently on the tour of Bangladesh. They will depart for India next Tuesday (September 26) after the culmination of the three-ODI series against Bangladesh.

Black Caps will open their World Cup campaign against defending champions England on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.