Kyle Jamieson to undergo back surgery

New Zealand speedster Kyle Jamieson is set to undergo a surgery for his back injury that will keep him out of action for nearly four months. The lanky pacer was named in the New Zealand’s squad for the forthcoming home series against the Three Lions, was ruled out with a suspected back stress fracture. 

"Kyle has seen a back surgeon and is getting surgery later in the week," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed. "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”

The kick in the teeth for the Kiwi quickie of an old back injury that he suffered last year on the tour of England. He made a short comeback from it in the domestic circuit and even represented NZ-A in a warm up game against England in Hamilton before being laid low after scans revealed the gravity of the injury. 

The surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation will keep Jamieson on the sidelines for at least four months. He will be out of NZ’s home series against Sri Lanka in March-April, the away tour to Pakistan in April-May as well as the Indian T20 league 2023 season, where he was signed by the Chennai franchise for INR 1 Crore. His potential return could be in NZ’s tour of England in August.

"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, who played the first test against England with depleted bowling resources and suffered a massive defeat, will welcome back Matt Henry to the attack ahead of the second test, commencing on February 24 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.